West Brom make crucial signing ahead of final pre-season friendly with Brighton

West Brom have strengthened their defensive ranks with the signing of Cedric Kipre from struggling Wigan for an undisclosed fee.

The 23-year-old has signed a four-year contract with the Baggies, who are back in the Premier League after winning promotion last season.

Kipre caught the eye in the Championship during the 2019/20 campaign, helping the Latics keep 12 clean sheets in the 36 league matches in which he appeared, before Wigan entered administration and were relegated.

Kipre, who came through the ranks at Paris St Germain before spells with Leicester and Motherwell, told the club’s official website: “I am happy. It’s a big club and the chance to play in the Premier League was what attracted me.

“I’m expecting to learn a lot from (manager) Slaven (Bilic) because he played in the same position and he can teach me areas to progress.”

West Brom will complete their preparations for the new Premier League season with a behind-closed-doors friendly against Graham Potter's Brighton at the Amex this Saturday (3pm).

Potter will be without six of his first-team squad with Leandro Trossard (Belgium), Joel Veltman (Holland), Aaron Connolly, Shane Duffy, Jayson Molumby (Republic of Ireland) and Viktor Gyokeres (Sweden) all with their respective countries on international duty for this weekend's Nations League fixtures.

West Brom begin their Premier League campaign at home to Leicester City on Sunday, September 13, before Brighton face Chelsea at the Amex the following night.