Albion blooded Jose Izquierdo gradually after the Colombian World Cup winger became their then-record signing last summer.

A couple of substitute appearances were followed by his full debut against Premier League opposition in the shape of Bournemouth in the Carabao Cup.

Izquierdo went on to impress in his debut season, scoring five goals and scaring opposition defences with his pace and directness.

Albion are hoping Alireza Jahanbakhsh will develop along similar lines.

Their new £17 million record purchase from Dutch club AZ Alkmaar has been bedding in since featuring in the World Cup for Iran.

Jahanbakhsh (below) came on for the last 20 minutes in the opening defeat at Watford and the much-improved away performance against Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday evening.

The Argus: In-between he was an unused substitute in the home victory over Manchester United.

Jahanbakhsh was also introduced in the final 20 minutes of the final pre-season friendly against Nantes at the Amex but supporters will get their first genuine look at the 25-year-old when he makes his full debut against Southampton tonight in the second round of the Carabao Cup.

If Jahanbakhsh were a horse he would win the best turned out prize. Well-groomed, not a hair out of place, articulate, Albion believe they have bought a thoroughbred to gallop into their attacking ambitions.

His English is immaculate, due primarily to lessons with a private tutor ahead of the move from his homeland to the Netherlands, initially with NEC Nijmegen.

Each step up in his career has been plotted by Jahanbakhsh with the husband-and-wife partnership of Amir and Honey Hashemi (below), officially his agency team but more like a second family.

The Argus: He has waited three years to be where he is now, turning Albion down then because although it was the right place for him it was not the right time. Now it is. It already feels like home.

"I feel really good," Jahanbakhsh told The Argus. "It's a good group.

"I'm training hard every day to get used to everything and to get to know everyone.

"It has already been a month for me. It's been a really good month, good training sessions.

"I've played some minutes in some games. I just need to build it up and I feel much better every day.

"I am trying to settle myself in with everything, the environment, a new situation and football wise, new tactics, new team-mates.

"I am just trying hard to make that happen as soon as possible."

Jahanbakhsh was hot property after top scoring in Eredivisie last season with 21 goals for Alkmaar, a remarkable tally for a predominantly right winger with sufficient dexterity to operate elsewhere.

Hashemi had multiple offers from other English clubs, the Bundesliga, Italy, Russia and Eredivisie heavyweights Ajax and PSV, but Albion's groundwork paid off.

"For sure, if I go back I would always make the same decision," said Jahanbakhsh. "I was thinking about all the different elements to making this step and I think it was the best step for me.

"I'm really happy about it. We have a really good group, an eclectic group, many nationalities, but still really good with each other. A good manager, good staff, I'm really happy with my decision."

The Argus: Jahanbakhsh is big news for Albion and Iran. He has more than a million Instagram followers and is only the fourth player from his country to play in the Premier League after Karim Bagheri (Charlton 2000-01), Andranik Teymourian (Bolton and Fulham 2006-09), and (above) Ashkan Dejagah (Fulham 2012-14).

There will be plenty of interest in his progress, beginning with tonight's south coast test.

Jahanbakhsh said: "It depends on the manager but of course I want to start the game, make my home debut at the stadium.

"I am looking forward to that. If the manager picks me I'm ready for it and I'll do my best for the team.

"I'm not used to starting the cup straight away against a Premier League team. In Holland we used to start against second, third division teams.

"But here straight away it's Southampton, a good team. I don't know much about the cup but it's important for the fans and also the club.

"So it's another important game and we are going to do our best to get through it."

Jahanbakhsh's evening will not be extended in the same manner as Izquierdo's last season at Bournemouth, where Albion lost in extra-time.

Ties go straight to penalties in the event of a draw after 90 minutes in the Carabao Cup this season.

Albion Possible (4-4-1-1): Button; Montoya, Bernardo, Balogun, Suttner; Jahanbakhsh, Kayal, Bissouma, Gyokeres; Gross; Locadia.

Subs (from): Steele, Bong, Duffy, Barclay, Propper, Stephens, March, Knockaert, Murray, Connolly.