Albion complete Shane Long signing

Published Nov 7, 2016

Last updated Aug 9, 2011

Albion today confirmed the signing of striker Shane Long for an initial fee of around £4.5million.

The Republic of Ireland international flew to Dublin last night for international duty, after spending yesterday finalising personal terms and undergoing his Baggies medical.

His move from Reading was announced today with the initial fee less than expected, although the 24-year-old could eventually cost a club-record £6.5million if all of the add-on fees are paid.

The Baggies were awaiting receipt of the final paperwork and Long's final medical results today before confirming the deal – their sixth of the summer and the first involving a transfer fee.

Long was given permission to miss the first day of Ireland training ahead of tomorrow's Dublin friendly with Croatia to finalise his move back to the Premier League.

But the 24-year-old returned to his homeland last night and is expected to start tomorrow's match at Lansdowne Road alongside new Hawthorns team-mate Simon Cox, who today gave the Baggies' latest deal his seal of approval.

Cox said: "You know what Shane gives you – pace and power. His record last year was very good and, hopefully, he can come in and produce for us what he did for Reading.

"He was a bit-part player when Reading were in the Premier League last time but if he keeps doing what he did in the Championship last season, I don't see why he can't be a hit for us in the Premiership this time.

"The players that we have got at West Brom can only help Shane as a player. And especially the manager that we've got – I believe he's helped me immensely since I've been there.

"If he can do that with Shane, he can go from strength to strength."

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