West Brom sigh Kanu and Gera

WEST Bromwich have strengthened their squad with two signings yesterday with the arrivals at the Hawthorns of former Arsenal star Kanu and Hungary captain Zoltan Gera.

Kanu, who was available after the Premiership champions chose not to offer him a new contract, has signed a three-year deal after passing a medical and agreeing personal terms.

Midfielder Gera has also agreed a three-year deal, with the option of a further year, after his £1.5 million (€2.3 million) transfer from Ferencvaros.

The double signing means the Baggies have completed three transfers in as many days following the capture of Jonathan Greening from Middlesbrough on a £1.25 million (€1.9 million) deal - and brings the number of new arrivals at the club to six in the close season.

West Brom boss Gary Megson hailed the capture of Kanu yesterday as a “massive signing”.

The Nigeria international, who will be 28 on Sunday, scored 44 goals in 198 appearances for Arsenal after making his debut in February 1999 and is believed to have taken a considerable cut in pay on joining the Baggies.

With Arsenal he collected the Premiership and FA Cup double in 2002, adding another FA Cup winner’s medal a year later when he was on the substitutes’ bench.

The arrival of, first, Thierry Henry and more recently Robert Pires and Jose Antonio Reyes restricted Kanu’s opportunities, but he still made enough appearances last season to earn a second Premiership title medal.

Albion boss Gary Megson said: “We’re obviously delighted Kanu has decided to join us. I felt it was important we signed this type of player as I think it takes us forward not just one step but quite a few steps.

“One of the things I mentioned to Kanu was that we would be bringing in other players. While he will make a difference to us, it’s important we don’t just think this signing will transform us overnight, although it is a massive signing for us.”

Gera, who was made captain of his country by Lothar Mattheus, is an attacking midfielder who can also play as a striker.

The 25-year-old was also being tracked by Crystal Palace as well as French side Lens, Russians Spartak Moscow and Borussia Monchengladbach, of Germany.

Megson said: “This is our third signing of the past few days and again I’m really pleased Zoltan has agreed to join us. He’s the captain of Hungary, really enthusiastic and wants to prove himself in England.”