West Brom's opening-day league hosts Norwich complete statement transfer from Championship rivals

Albion discovered on Thursday they will make the trip to Norwich City on the opening day of the new Championship season.

The lengthy trip to Norfolk on August 15 is an early test for James Morrison’s side against a home team who ended the last campaign in strong form.

Belgian boss Philippe Clement sparked a hugely impressive turnaround in form after he replaced Liam Manning last November.

The Canaries finished the campaign in ninth, just eight points outside the play-off places and were in the running until the final weeks of the season, having been lowly strugglers earlier in the campaign.

Clement, the former Rangers boss, is fancied by many to push Norwich into the higher reaches in the Championship this season. Norwich’s form under Clement was play-off standard.

And a first permanent signing of the new season has caught the eye after Sheffield United academy graduate and star Andre Brooks checked in at Carrow Road.

The 22-year-old wideman was the Blades’ players’ and young player of the season in a disappointing campaign last term, with a finish of 13th.

The Jamaica international has scored nine goals in 96 games first-team games for United. He has caught the eye in games against Albion previously and has agreed a five-year deal.

It is reported Norwich’s statement move cost an initial £8million that could rise to £9m with promotion success. Brooks has been a long-term target for the Canaries, who have tried for his services previously.

The former Bramall Lane starlet becomes Norwich’s second new recruit of the summer after Brazil defender Bruno Alves, 20, arrived from Cruzeiro on a season-long loan with an option to buy.

Albion’s clash at Carrow Road will be a testing early marker of how Morrison’s Baggies have progressed during the summer.