'Suits me...' West Brom star on why transfer proved a perfect fit

The Baggies' player of the season award winner was a revelation in his first season in England and at The Hawthorns.

He appeared in 45 of 46 Championship fixtures - missing the full haul with a late-season injury that sidelined him at Bristol City in April - and was a model of consistency both as left-back and then more prominently in his familiar centre-back role.

The 26-year-old, who cost £525,000 from IF Brommapojkarna in Sweden last July, is likely to attract interest this summer after his excellent form despite an otherwise underwhelming campaign for the Baggies.

"I was talking with my parents and agent before I came here," said Heggem. "We know it is so important to play games. If it was too big of a step then just sitting on the bench is not good for my development and me as a player.

"So I felt it was a chance I had to take to come here. It's a big club, we know there are a lot of games. I knew I would get the chance and I believed I had the talent - or what you need to play in the Championship."

Shortly before the end of the campaign Heggem stressed his enjoyment at The Hawthorns and added a desire to settle and see out the three-year contract he penned last summer.

The left-sided defender made a seamless transition from left-back to the centre of defence early in the campaign having initially been required at full-back.

Norwegian Heggem previously had experience on the left side of a back three at his previous club, with raids forward with the ball helping him become comfortable in possession - a style which helped him settle under former boss Carlos Corberan.

"I think the league suits me very well," Heggem added. "It's a physical league. When I came we had a Spanish manager that wanted to play football. Not like the typical English manager where it is just 'he can run'. When I was growing up the Championship was kick and run and the Premier League was more good football. That is not the way anymore.

"The physical part and football suited me really well. It was something I wanted to try."