Young Albion defender Jan Paul van Hecke is off to a great start with his new club.

The centre-back was thrown straight into Eredivisie action by Heerenveen after signing on loan.

He played the full 90 minutes of a 3-1 win at Fortuna Sittard in the Dutch top flight.

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Van Hecke, 20, signed for Albion on a three-year deal from NAC Breda recently but stayed in the Netherlands and was able to link up quickly with Heerenveen when the season-long loan deal was complete.

Technical director Dan Ashworth rates him as “a powerful defender who is comfortable on the ball and good in possession”.