Mattock completes Albion move

The 19-year-old was due to meet his new team-mates today, after putting the finishing touches to a transfer worth just over £1million.

Mattock completed a medical at Albion's training ground yesterday after agreeing personal terms and put pen to paper on his Hawthorns contract last night.

Head coach Roberto Di Matteo said: "Joe is exactly the kind of player we're looking for - a young, talented, English left-back who's got plenty of Championship experience despite his young years.

"He is hungry for success and he was very keen to join us. He's a quick, solid defender with a very good left foot."

The Leicester-born full-back has played five times for England's under-21's, after making his debut at the age of 17.

He becomes Albion's fourth permanent signing of the summer after Simon Cox, Youssouf Mulumbu and Reuben Reid.

Mattock, who is almost 6ft tall and can also play on the left of midfield, played 73 times for Leicester, scoring once.

But he stunned the Foxes with a transfer request at the end of last week, leading them to resurrect a move to the Hawthorns that looked to be off.

The left-back looks set to be installed as Albion's first-choice, but Di Matteo is keen to keep Marek Cech to compete for a place both at full-back and on the left of midfield.

Cox will also be hoping to start in the Carling Cup at Bury tomorrow as he looks to force his way into the team.

The £1.5milliuon recruit was left on the bench for Saturday's Championship opener against Newcastle on Saturday, with teenage New Zealander Chris Wood preferred in the starting line-up.

Di Matteo said: "I think Chris handled it well. I didn't have any concerns, because he's a big boy.

"He defended set-pieces well and held up the ball very well. I think he had a good game.

"Simon Cox missed two weeks of pre-season so he's still a little bit behind in terms of match fitness.

"Also with Chris Wood we have a different kind of player up front – someone who is a bit more physical."