West Brom seal double deal

West Brom have completed their second signing of the day by picking up Romania international Cosmin Contra on a season-long loan from Atletico Madrid.

Under the deal, the Baggies will play the Spanish side a set fee each time he plays.

The 28-year-old right-back, who joined Atletico from AC Milan for £5m (€7.4m) two years ago, follows Japan international Junichi Inamoto in moving to the Hawthorns today.

Contra played for Romania against England at Euro 2000 but it was not until the following season's UEFA Cup that he made his name internationally.

He was a key member of the Alaves team that made a shock run to the final of the competition where they were beaten 5-4 by Liverpool in extra-time.

A move to AC Milan followed but he was shipped out to Atletico after just one season.

But his chances of making an impact in the Spanish capital were hampered last season by an ankle ligament injury he suffered in pre-season training.

He underwent surgery in October but found it difficult to reclaim his place and he has joined West Brom on the same day as Inamoto.

The 24-year-old – currently injured – has joined on a two-and-a-half year contract after the Baggies agreed to pay his club Gamba Osaka £200,000 (€296,000) when he makes his first competitive appearance.

Albion manager Gary Megson told the club’s official website, www.wba.co.uk: “We’re delighted to have signed Junichi. He obviously isn’t fit at the moment but the reason we’ve done the deal now is we wouldn’t have been able to sign him when he is due to complete his recovery as the window would be closed.”