George Campbell faces significant West Brom transition but key fact will help United States defender

The central defender, 24, became Albion's third new signing of the summer last month when he checked in from MLS outfit Montreal, in Canada, for a fee of around £1.7million.

Thursday night saw the Baggies add further options to their rearguard having already brought in Campbell and Nat Phillips, as Birmingham City captain Krystian Bielik, another centre-back, arrived on an a three-year deal for in excess of £1m. Manchester United midfield prospect Toby Collyer is close to arriving on a season-long loan.

The business to reinforce the defensive department was carefully plotted out. There was a growing consideration player of the season Heggem could depart as Bologna's interest rose and Kyle Bartley's fitness came with a question mark - Albion were aware retirement, or at least an exit, was a possibility.

Campbell, who has one cap for the United States, has made a positive impression so far. He has shown a capability to be versatile with a couple of cameos in a more unfamiliar left-back, but Tuesday's EFL Cup penalty defeat against Derby was a first full showing of his natural central role.

It was mid-season when he departed Canada, so that should aid his general rhythm and match fitness.

Campbell impressed and is likely to get the opportunity to do so again, for the first time in the Championship, at Wrexham on Saturday lunchtime. It will be a stern test against one of the division's ambitious new boys as Red Dragons frontmen Sam Smith and Josh Windass buzz around as nuisances.

"We signed him because we believe in him," head coach Ryan Mason said of Campbell, who partnered academy graduate Caleb Taylor against the Rams in midweek.

"We understand there's a transition period when you go from one club to another, let alone across the other side of the world.

"He's settled in fine. It's a real good group of players. There's so many good staff here and I'm sure George feels really settled. The quicker that can happen, the better."

Albion look well-stocked at the back. Phillips, the first signing of the summer he cost an initial £1m from Liverpool, put in a man of the match display on his competitive debut last weekend against Blackburn.

He made countless clearances with both his head and body and provided Baggies fans an early glimpse at what they can expect from the dominant stopper.

The club may still wish to bolster full-back areas, certainly on the left side. Gianluca Frabotta - who was never really considered effective competition or even back-up to Callum Styles - was given a free transfer last week and has since joined Italian Serie B side Cesena. Otherwise there is the possibility of Campbell on the left side but little else.

In academy graduate Taylor, 22, Campbell, Phillips and Bielik, himself a versatile option, the base of the spine of Mason's team looks secure. Bielik was signed in time to be considered an option for the squad to face Wrexham.

Mason explained: "We've got good people and that's part of the recruitment process. You've got to get good people.

"That's always a challenge for any football club and it's something we're big on because we have such a good group of people that want to work hard, that want to work for each other and George just adds to that."