West Brom new boy reveals glowing Ryan Mason reference from Wales team-mate Brennan Johnson after £1m move

The 27-year-old defender, who came through at Brentford before a £12m switch to Bournemouth completed a £1m move to Albion on Thursday - a deal that could rise to £1.5m.

The 48 cap Welsh international signed a three-year contract at The Hawthorns and becomes the latest defensive signing - after the arrivals of George Campbell, Nat Phillips and Krystian Bieilk.

Mepham could be in line to make his Albion debut at Stoke on Saturday - and following his arrival he revealed how one of his international team-mates gave Albion boss Ryan Mason a glowing reference ahead of the move.

The defender also hailed the Albion boss and is excited to work alongside him and believes they create 'something special' at The Hawthorns.

He said: “It’s been a pretty busy time. I’ve known there’s been interest for a couple of weeks.

“I was always aware of what a fantastic opportunity it is, so it was just a case of staying close to my phone and waiting for the green light. 

“I got the green light on Wednesday morning. There’s been a lot of hours on the motorway, but I’m really pleased to get it all done.

“The conversations I’ve had with the manager and other people at the football club have been really positive. 

“I’ve spoken to the manager a couple of times and he’s someone who I’ve had really good references of from people I know. Brennan Johnson being one, who I know worked with him at Spurs and had a really good relationship with him. He couldn’t speak highly enough about him. 

“To be 34, a Championship manager and have the start that he’s had, it’s exciting for me to work him. He had an amazing playing career and I’m sure he’s got really good ideas to help the team move forward. 

“I’m really looking forward to working with him and the conversations we’ve had have been really positive.

“Hopefully now, we can all create something really special.”