West Brom have announced the appointment of experienced Italian sporting director Giuliano Terraneo as a technical consultant.

The move comes after the club sacked technical director Nick Hammond with immediate effect on Thursday.

Terraneo will initially join the club for an initial six months, with the Baggies, who are bottom of the Premier League, planning to review their future plans at the end of that period.

Albion's chief executive officer Mark Jenkins says Terraneo will play a key role in appointing the club's next coach, following the departure of Alan Pardew, as well as player recruitment.

"Giuliano joins us in what we all acknowledge will be a very important close season," Jenkins said.

"He will assist in the recruitment of a new head coach and the re-structure of the squad. In the event of our losing Premier League status, it will be a squad we will want to compete strongly for promotion back to the top tier.

"Giuliano will assist in the recruitment long-term of a new Sporting and Technical Director and he will also be involved in the complete review of the recruitment department."

Giuliano Terraneo signed Robin van Persie from Manchester United in 2015 when he was Fenerbahce's sporting director

Terraneo's most recent role was as sporting director of Turkish side Fenerbahce, where he helped to sign former Manchester United stars Nani and Robin van Persie.

The 64-year-old, who met senior staff at the club's Palm Training Ground on Thursday morning, has also held similar roles at Monza, Lazio and Inter Milan.

Terraneo said: "I am pleased to be able to accept the opportunity to help the club and its owners in the work ahead.

"West Bromwich Albion is a club with its own personality and it is important that everyone we recruit wants to work to that."

West Brom sacked chairman John Williams and chief executive Martin Goodman in February following the club's disappointing performances this season.