Albion boss Sami Hyypia has revealed the part played by fellow Finn Antti Niemi in the capture from Fulham of goalkeeper David Stockdale.

Goalkeeping coach Niemi and Stockdale were rivals for the gloves at Craven Cottage.

Hyypia said: "We are delighted to have completed David’s signing from Fulham, and I am pleased to welcome him to the club.

"It is a transfer we have been working on for some time – and David is a goalkeeper with excellent pedigree. He has got very good experience of the Premier League and Championship, but at 28 is in his prime.

"Antti knows David very well from their time together as players at Fulham. He knows his strengths and attributes, and David was on the fringes of the England senior squad not too long ago.

"Alongside Casper Ankergren and Christian Walton, David’s arrival means we are satisfied with our goalkeeping options ahead of the new season.

"We still have some work to do in other areas in terms of recruitment, but we are making good progress and this is an excellent signing and another quality addition to the squad."

Stockdale is Albion’s fourth signing of the summer, joining his former Craven Cottage teammate Aaron Hughes, midfielder Nzuzi Toko and striker Chris O’Grady.