Albion boss Gus Poyet has made Spanish defender Inigo Calderon his first signing of the January transfer window.

Poyet pounced to see off competition from an un-named League One rival for the services of the former Deportivo Alaves captain for the rest of the season.

Calderon, 28, is a free agent after parting company with the Spanish club last summer following their relegation from the second division, He has played over 250 games at right-back or central midfield in his home country, the majority in two stints with Alaves, although he also spent three years with Alicante.

He has been training with the Albion squad and put pen to paper yesterday afternoon.

Poyet said: “We’re delighted to sign Inigo until the end of the season. He’s a right-back but also gives us options in different positions.

“He is powerful, good on the ball and brings something different to the club.

“I knew of him and once we had seen him train and play in a practice match it confirmed he was fit and that he would be a good addition to the squad.”

The arrival of Calderon is another blow to out-of-favour right-back Andrew Whing’s prospects of lining up against his beloved Aston Villa at Villa Park in the FA Cup later this month.

Whing has already lost his place in the first team to on-loan Gavin Hoyte. Albion are still waiting for Arsenal to get back to them to clarify that Hoyte can stay for the remainder of the campaign.

Calderon will have to wait to make his debut after Albion’s home clash with Brentford tomorrow was postponed yesterday morning, with Withdean still in the grip of snow and ice.

No new date has been arranged for the Brentford game. The home match against Huddersfield, postponed on January 23 when Albion go to Aston Villa in the FA Cup, will now be played on Tuesday February 9 (7.45).