West Bromwich Albion have signed Grady Diangana from West Ham United on a permanent basis, with the fee potentially rising to £18 million.
Despite interest from Aston Villa, Fulham, Ajax, and PSV Eindhoven, the winger has moved to the Hawthorns on a five-year-deal.
The 22-year-old was the Baggies' second signing made on Friday, with Wigan Athletic defender Cedric Kipre making the move to the Premier League club earlier in the day.
Diangana becomes the third player to join West Brom on a permanent basis this transfer window, with Matheus Pereira also joining the club just over two weeks ago.
An impressive debut season in senior football
Despite a handful of appearances for West Ham between 2016 and 2019, last season was the first that Diangana was a regular name on the teamsheet.
In what could be described as his maiden campaign in senior football, the winger easily adapted to life at the highest level.
Starting 23 of his 30 Championship matches, with the England youth international missing part of the season due to a hamstring injury, the winger was able to contribute towards 14 goals, scoring eight, assisting six, and was a key player in the Baggies' promotion campaign.
Although able to play both behind the striker and down the right-wing, Slaven Bilic usually implemented the 22-year-old on the left-hand side of the pitch.
His ability to pick up the ball, beat his marker and find a cross endeared him to the West Brom fanbase, with his 2.4 dribbles per game ranking him in the top five of all players in the Championship.
It is unlikely that Albion will play such an expansive attacking style in the Premier League next season, with the step-up in division bringing an increase in opposition potency in the final third, and increasing the unlikeliness that teams will set up defensively against them.
As a result, Diangana is less likely to receive the ball as much down the left-wing, but will still play an important role in the counter-attacking style that they may be forced to implement.
His pace on the ball combined with his dribbling ability is a unique asset in the team, with Periera possessing more technical ability on the ball both at his feet and finding the final pass, and incoming Filip Krovinovic the workhorse out of the three who usually moves into deeper areas of the pitch to get the ball and progress play.
Baggies' fans will be hoping that rumours of Karlan Grant joining the club come to fruition sooner rather than later, with his pace in attack similar to that of Diangana, and athleticism and versatility an upgrade on current strikers Charlie Austin, Hal Robson-Kanu and Kenneth Zohore.
Disappointment around West Ham
The confirmation of Diangana's department signalled a reaction that could not oppose the delight from a West Brom standpoint anymore than it did.
Previously priced at a minimum of £20 million, the decision to allow the talented youngster to leave the club despite having a contract until 2025 for just £18 million left many frustrated, with a chance in the first team or even a second loan move the desired option for many.
The disappointment will also be compiled with the idea that they have sold a player to a direct rival, with West Brom and West Ham both likely to be facing a relegation battle at the end of the season.
The most noticeable figure left frustrated with the move was club captain Mark Noble, who seemingly could not believe what had happened.
After confirming the departure, West Ham insisted that they were reluctant to sell their youth academy graduate, but high levels of competition in the squad and the chance to reinvest in the squad were factors in their decision.
What Diangana has had to say
At the end of the Championship season, it was unknown whether Diangana would join the Baggies' for their first Premier League season since 2017-18, especially with David Moyes having an admiration for the player, and the winger seemingly open to a stay in London.
However, speaking to the West Brom website, Dianagana was delighted he was able to return to the Hawthorns.
“I’m very happy. After last season and the joy that we had getting promoted, for me I am happy to be back here and it’s almost like unfinished business," said Diangana. “I can’t wait to show what I can do and what this team can do in the Prem."
He added: "It is exciting to be able to share the Premier League with the likes of Matheus [Pereira] and Matty Phillips and all the players. It is special because we created a bond together and hopefully we can do the same in the Premier League."
Despite being at West Ham for 10 years, with the winger joining the Hammers' youth academy in 2010, Diangana was adamant that West Brom brought out the best in him, with manager Bilic a big factor.
“Being here has brought out the best in me. Being able to connect with my teammates, sometimes we don’t even speak about it, it just happens on the pitch and when you get to that same wavelength it takes your football to another level."
The 22-year-old also told the club website: “I really do love working with Slaven and playing for him. He expresses himself to you and is always honest with you, and that brings out the best of you. It’s been a joy playing and working for him.