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West Bromwich Albion have completed the signing of Jonathan Bond on a free transfer.

The 25-year-old goalkeeper becomes Albion’s second signing of the day, after the arrival earlier of centre-back Kyle Bartley from Swansea City.

Bond, 25, was released by Reading this summer having spent last season on loan at League One Peterborough United.

Also formerly of Watford, the stopper has previously loan spells too at Bury, Dagenham & Redbridge and Gillingham.

“This is a Premier League club and that’s what we’ve got to concentrate on - getting ourselves back up there,” said Bond.

“The facilities are great, the people are great... the Championship is a tough league but I believe it’s an exciting season ahead.”

Bond joins Sam Johnstone at The Hawthorns as the Baggies’ goalkeeping department undergoes a transformation from last season.

Though the pair have directly replaced the outgoing Ben Foster and Boaz Myhill, goalkeeping coach Neil Cutler has revealed the club are on the look-out for a third senior stopper - and that will allow young Alex Palmer to head back out on loan and enjoy regular football elsewhere for the time being.

“I want a group of three competitive keepers who are driven, athletic, eager, quick and able to push each other in every session of every day,” Cutler said.

“I have tracked Jonathan’s career through from his involvement in the England set-up and he’s one who has got real potential.

“We need to work on that fine detail now, He’s dropped off the radar a bit but he wants to learn and work and push on.

“He’s got experience of the Championship and knows the top two divisions and fits what we want in terms of work ethic.”

The first arrival

West Bromwich Albion have completed the signing of Kyle Bartley from Swansea.

The centre-back becomes Darren Moore’s second signing of the summer as Albion have moved to replace the departing Jonny Evans.

He joins Sam Johnstone in moving to The Hawthorns this summer and has agreed a three-year contract as the Baggies’ squad restructure continues.

Albion beat off competition from Bartley’s former clubs Birmingham City and Leeds United.

The latter, under new manager Marcelo Bielsa, enjoyed a successful campaign in 2016-17 under Garry Monk - ironically now Blues’ boss - when Bartley was at Elland Road and there had been talk of a potential return.

But the Baggies have won the race and Bartley will be wearing the blue and white stripes next season.

It’s left many a Leeds supporter wondering what might’ve been, and rather frustrated that the Whites didn’t try harder to land Bartley.

Have Albion got themselves a bargain? Here’s is the verdict of the Leeds fanbse.

Joey Morton: Love him as a person but if Bielsa saw something he didn’t like i will support that. And even though it was a very good season, it’s still only one good season he’s had

Oliver White: Really surprised that Kyle Bartley hasn’t re-signed for Leeds even though his best mate plays here. Who wouldn’t take a big pay cut and sacrifice a good chance of winning promotion so they can work with their friend ever day?

Khalil Rehman: Gutted about Bartley. But just have to hope and trust the new manager. Come in Bielsa fella!

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Joanne Bridgeman: Nice one #lufc Bartley signs for WBA. Why do I support a club with such ambition

Stuart : Dumbfounded #LUFC weren’t in for Bartley at that price. Our transfer policy is shocking.

Ryan: It actually hurts seeing Kyle Bartley at West Brom.. Leeds should have just gone and paid the money..

MG (Bielsa ringing): *sees Bartley has joined WBA, resolves to stay away from West Yorkshire for a week to avoid the biblical levels of flooding caused by some #lufc fans tears*

White Answers: Waiting until the end of the summer to judge the squad, but missing out on Bartley is puzzling.

James Courtney: @jcourts1991

This all out promotion bid really is going well isn’t it..... Irrelevant if it’s Bartley or whoever, all the major teams are doing shrewd business and we’re..... well ye.

Wayne : I don’t believe for one minute that Bielsa didn’t want Bartley. Soz

James Howson: seems Leeds are going to need to sign someone pretty special to appease the fans for not getting Bartley

WotzThatSound : It’s a massive loss but if he’s injured fair enough. He was a real talisman in the back four. The anchor that stabilised Jansson.

Tom Mullen: Hugely shortsighted of Leeds to miss out on this one. A complete no-brainer.

SA : An absolute steal at 4M. Honestly at this point I don’t care if Bielsa rated him or not, some no brainers like this should happen. We need 2 quality CBs anyways in this window and we should be hoarding players like Bartley at 4M.

All you need to know about Kyle

West Bromwich Albion have snapped up Swansea City centre-back Kyle Bartley in a £4m transfer.

The defender was sparsely used at the Liberty Stadium last year, making just five Premier League appearances and a further seven outings in cup competitions.

Bartley has become Darren Moore’s second signing of the summer as the Baggies boss sets about rebuilding the club following relegation from the Premier League.

Here’s the lowdown on the 27-year-old centre-back.

Background

Bartley grew up in Stockport before being snapped up by Bolton Wanderers in his youth. A couple of impressive years at Bolton tempted Arsenal and Bartley moved to north London at the age of 16.

He only managed one appearance in five years at Arsenal before he joined Swansea City in 2012.

In six years in south Wales Bartley only played 38 first team matches, 21 of which came in the Premier League.

It’s through various loan spells where Bartley has caught the eye. Sheffield United, Rangers, Birmingham City and Leeds United have all offered Bartley temporary homes and none have been left disappointed.

The fact that Sheffield United and Rangers both signed Bartley twice, and Leeds were keen to re-sign him this summer, certainly bodes well for Albion.

Playing style

Bartley is an uncompromising central defender, but he’s also elegant in possession. Having come through Arsenal’s youth system and played for Swansea during their free-flowing glory years, Bartley is adept on the ball.

Leeds also saw his prowess from set-piece situations. Bartley bagged six goals during his loan spell at Elland Road and was so popular in Yorkshire than news of his impending Albion switch sent Whites fans into meltdown.

Bartley will play as one of Albion’s two central defenders and will be tasked with building play from the back.

Learning his trade

Bartley hasn’t always been a bustling 6ft 4in central defender. He used to enjoy nothing more than putting the ball in the back of a net.

Speaking in 2016, Bartley said: “I’ve got an older brother who’s a keen footballer. We were living in Withington [Manchester] at the time.

“I was three years old, quite big, and I talked my mum and dad into telling the football team I was five so I could play straightaway.

“So I started at three years old and absolutely loved it and thankfully here I am now.

“Rio Ferdinand was always the one for me. Overseas – Fabio Cannavaro was one I really looked up to. It was fantastic how he was only 5ft 10 and yet was still one of most dominant centre-halves.

“From about 11 I went into defence. I was a striker before then, I liked the glory. Once I got to Bolton Wanderers they put me in defence and I really stood out.”

What's been said

After penning a three-year contract at The Hawthorns, Bartley said: "After speaking with Darren I knew this was the place I wanted to be be.

"He let me know his ideas for the season and the next few years, his ambitions for the club and he told me about the fanbase and the facilities. I’m hoping to be involved quickly.”

Moore added: “I’m absolutely delighted Kyle has joined us. He’s got great presence about him and I am looking forward to working with him.”