Stoaty Ferret
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Bonjour to French duo
by Andy Naylor
Albion are adding a Gallic flavour to their multi-national squad with a double swoop for Sebastien Carole and Florent Chaigneau.
The Frenchmen have done enough during week-long trials to convince manager Mark McGhee they are worth keeping.
Right winger Carole is moving permanently on a free transfer from Monaco and giant goalkeeper Chaigneau on a long-term loan from Rennes.
They will be added to the squad for tomorrow's home game against Crewe, providing there are no last minute hitches with medicals and contract arrangements and Albion receive international clearance.
McGhee revealed: "Sebastien is a a good footballer who looks as if he scores goals.
"He shows tremendous enthusiasm and is quick and skilful, everything you would want from a right-winger, including a good work ethic, so we are signing him for two years."
Carole, 22, has been training with Albion following a trial at Southampton.
He made one appearance for West Ham during a loan spell two seasons ago and spent last season on loan to French Second Division side Chateauroux.
Chaigneau, 21 and 6ft 5ins tall, was No. 2 at Rennes to Petr Cech before the Czech Republic star joined Chelsea.
Chaigneau is still under contract at Rennes and, despite a lack of first team opportunities, has attracted interest from several clubs, including Manchester United.
He will, in the short-term, provide cover for on-loan Aston Villa keeper Wayne Henderson while Michel Kuipers continues his recovery from shoulder surgery and, beyond that, competition for the No.1 spot.
McGhee said: "We've seen enough to know at the very worst he is going to be a serious understudy for Wayne or Michel and potentially he could displace either of them."
McGhee's cosmopolitan Championship squad already contains a Dutchman (Kuipers), Australian (Paul Reid), Argentinian (Federico Turienzo), two young Republic of Ireland internationals (Henderson and Paul McShane) and a young Cypriot international (Alexis Nicolas).
More new signings could be on the way before the transfer deadline at the end of the month.
McGhee revealed: "I think four players are still required but if we bring in four that will probably mean moving three out.
"We are still looking to bring in another centre half, a left-sided player and possibly a leftback to put pressure on Kerry (Mayo)."
McGhee has so far rejected inquiries from non-League clubs interested in taking Chris McPhee on loan. McGhee would prefer the young striker to gain more experience at League level.
He said: "I think Chris is ready for that but if non-League is the only place we can get him games at the moment then we might have to let him, because he needs to play."
by Andy Naylor
Albion are adding a Gallic flavour to their multi-national squad with a double swoop for Sebastien Carole and Florent Chaigneau.
The Frenchmen have done enough during week-long trials to convince manager Mark McGhee they are worth keeping.
Right winger Carole is moving permanently on a free transfer from Monaco and giant goalkeeper Chaigneau on a long-term loan from Rennes.
They will be added to the squad for tomorrow's home game against Crewe, providing there are no last minute hitches with medicals and contract arrangements and Albion receive international clearance.
McGhee revealed: "Sebastien is a a good footballer who looks as if he scores goals.
"He shows tremendous enthusiasm and is quick and skilful, everything you would want from a right-winger, including a good work ethic, so we are signing him for two years."
Carole, 22, has been training with Albion following a trial at Southampton.
He made one appearance for West Ham during a loan spell two seasons ago and spent last season on loan to French Second Division side Chateauroux.
Chaigneau, 21 and 6ft 5ins tall, was No. 2 at Rennes to Petr Cech before the Czech Republic star joined Chelsea.
Chaigneau is still under contract at Rennes and, despite a lack of first team opportunities, has attracted interest from several clubs, including Manchester United.
He will, in the short-term, provide cover for on-loan Aston Villa keeper Wayne Henderson while Michel Kuipers continues his recovery from shoulder surgery and, beyond that, competition for the No.1 spot.
McGhee said: "We've seen enough to know at the very worst he is going to be a serious understudy for Wayne or Michel and potentially he could displace either of them."
McGhee's cosmopolitan Championship squad already contains a Dutchman (Kuipers), Australian (Paul Reid), Argentinian (Federico Turienzo), two young Republic of Ireland internationals (Henderson and Paul McShane) and a young Cypriot international (Alexis Nicolas).
More new signings could be on the way before the transfer deadline at the end of the month.
McGhee revealed: "I think four players are still required but if we bring in four that will probably mean moving three out.
"We are still looking to bring in another centre half, a left-sided player and possibly a leftback to put pressure on Kerry (Mayo)."
McGhee has so far rejected inquiries from non-League clubs interested in taking Chris McPhee on loan. McGhee would prefer the young striker to gain more experience at League level.
He said: "I think Chris is ready for that but if non-League is the only place we can get him games at the moment then we might have to let him, because he needs to play."
