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Anders Lindegaard profile

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One undoubted feature of Albion's summer is how many incoming deals have come almost out of the blue.more

While pursuits for the likes of Matt Phillips have dominated the summer, moves for James Chester and Salomon Rondon, the latter the biggest deal for all, were almost sealed before they became public knowledge.

Anders Lindegaard certainly falls into that category.

Tony Pulis has made no secret of his desire to add a keeper and provide competition for Boaz Myhill and, when he returns from injury, regular No.1 Ben Foster.

But most of the focus in recent weeks has been on the club's pursuit of Cardiff keeper David Marshall.

Lindegaard is set to sign for Albion

Indeed, the first mention of Lindegaard at all came this morning when it was revealed the 31-year-old was on his way to the Baggies to discuss the terms of a free transfer.

Privately, Albion's bosses believe they have pulled off one of the deals of the summer in bringing in the Denmark international, who - having been also linked with Besiktas and West Ham - arrives at the Hawthorns with more than a little to prove.

When he joined Manchester United in January 2011, a £3.5million signing from Aelsunds, the stopper was tipped as one to watch but has gone on to make just 29 appearances in four-and-a-half years.

That has been mainly down to the form of others and in particular United's regular No.1 David De Gea, who Lindegaard has found impossible to displace.

He has not played for the first-team since April last year and has been completely frozen out under Louis Van Gaal, who has signed Sergio Romero as cover for De Gea.

Lindegaard can count himself a little unlucky, having rarely let the club down when called upon.

He was criticised for failing to command his box during United's 4-3 win over Reading in December 2012 but at 6ft 4in usually has no trouble collecting crosses, while his distribution is also regarded as a strength.

Neither does the 31-year-old have any lack of experience on the international stage. Lindegaard was capped at all youth levels by Denmark before making the first of five appearances for the senior national team in a European Championship qualifier against Iceland in September 2010.

With a reputation for hard work, Lindegaard certainly has a track record of speaking his mind.

When asked by a journalist about challenging De Gea for the No.1 journalist at United, he responded: "What answer do you expect to that question?

"I've said a thousand times before I'm not here to pick my nose."

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The goalkeeper showed a willingness to stick for team-mates when he responded to Albion's cheeky jibe against Marouane Fellaini last year during United's 2-2 draw at the Hawthorns, while he has also spoken up about the lack of openly homosexual players in the game, claiming football needs a "gay hero".

Lindegaard will become the third player from United signed by Tony Pulis since he took over at the Hawthorns at the turn of the year, following Darren Fletcher and Jonny Evans.

While he might not have come through the ranks at Old Trafford like those two, the Baggies boss believes players from Old Trafford have a "stamp" of quality about them.

Lindegaard might not have the experience or the profile of Marshall, or even Wayne Hennessey, who Albion were linked with earlier in the summer.

But he arrives hungry to prove United were wrong to ignore him for so long.