Midfielder Borja Valero has become West Bromwich Albion’s record signing in a £4.9 million deal, according to Martan Paledes, the player’s agent.

The 23-year-old has reportedly signed from Real Mallorca on a four year deal, despite no official confirmation from the Hawthorns, which is expected this morning.

“This has gone through and we are very pleased,” Paledes said.

“Borja is very happy and is looking forward to playing in the Premier League with West Bromwich Albion.

“We believe this is a great opportunity for him.”

Valero’s Mallorca teammate, Argentinian Oscar Trejo, remains a Baggies target after impressing in Albion’s final pre-season game of pre-season but rumours suggesting the Spanish side’s centre-half, Nunes, will be joining have been dismissed.

Mowbray said: “I think it’s folly of me to talk about players we haven’t signed, especially as we have been close to signing a few players and the deals haven’t come off.

“But I will say we want to improve.

“We are trying to build a team that is competitive and we want to do that by bringing quality players to the club.

“You can see from Saturday that we need more bodies.

“The player who came to this club to create competition at left back played on the right wing, which is not an ideal situation,
“In order to prevent us playing players out of position too many times in the season we need to strengthen.”

Gianni Zuiverloon, the £3.2 million right back, is due back before the Baggies first home game of the season, against Everton on Saturday.

Mowbray said he had been impressed with the way the 21-year-old had performed in the Olympics, against players like Lionel Messi and Juan Riquelme, and hopes the exprience will benefit him when it comes to making his Baggies debut, which is expected to be this weekend.

The commitment of the existing players cannot be faulted, not least that of Kim Do-Hoen who has putting off seeing his new born son to help establish himself in the Albion side.

“Kim has done exceptionally well,” said Albion.

“He has got a new addition to the family and he hasn’t seen the child yet.

“He is showing a great dedication to his career and loyalty to the team by being here.

“I know if my wife had given birth I would have been asking the manager to leave, even if it was just for a day, to be with my family.

“But he is getting on with his job and is doing really well.

“We have got an international break coming up with some qualifiers to play so hopefully he will be visiting them soon.”

Mowbray has also praised Kim for his versatility, which he proved by playing behing Ishmael Miller on Saturday, but admits he has yet to decide how best to use his ability and international experience.

“We have asked Kim to play in three or four different roles in pre-season and maybe we are still searching for his very best role to benefit the team,” he added.

“But he works hard, he is good technically and he will threaten the goal, as we saw on Saturday in the first half.

“I’m sure he will be fine. He is a good international footballer and we are trying to bring players with that sort of experience to the club if we can because every day in the Premier League is slightly different and we have to be ready for the big occasion.

“Invariably international footballers have played in big occasions when the expectation is huge and they have to be able to deal with it.
“Kim will have played in many a game when the expectations are high.”