Albion striker Leonardo Ulloa has backed his new club to reach the Premier League.

The 26-year-old Argentinian completed his move to English football last night after agreeing a four-and-a-half year deal at The Amex.

Albion are believed to have paid about £2 million to meet the buyout clause in Ulloa’s contract at Almeria.

His deal at the Spanish second tier club was improved last summer after he scored 28 goals in a season.

Ulloa, who made his name with San Lorenzo in Argentina, saw his new team mates in action when they beat Derby 2-1 on Saturday.

He said: “This is a club which is growing.

“It has lots of new projects and is a club that sooner rather than later will be in the Premier League.”

Albion hope to secure international clearance for Ulloa in time for Saturday’s trip to Birmingham City.

The 6ft 2in striker scored seven top-flight goals for Almeria having first been taken to Spain by Castellon.

He arrives in England as a goalscorer and a target man.

Ulloa added: “I define myself as a fighter. I’m going to be fighting for the squad.

“I’m very comfortable in and around the box, dealing with crosses. I will add hopefully a few goals.”

Ulloa said his farewells to team mates at Almeria on Tuesday and promised to be back for their promotion party.

He said: “It is a very good move for me as an individual. The change of surroundings will suit me well.

“I’ve had a great year-and-a-half at Almeria. I’ve always felt welcome.

“It’s hard to go but I’ve taken a decision and I think it is the best for everybody at this moment.

“It’s sad to leave people and colleagues and supporters and a city which really welcomed me from the first day.”

Ulloa has admitted he leaves Almeria with an unfulfilled ambition – that of firing them back to the top flight.

He told the club’s web radio station at UDAlmeria.com: “It was an ambition to go up. Scoring 28 goals in a season was important for me but I would swap it for promotion with the team.

“I’ve told them I’ll be back in June for the celebration meal after promotion.”