Belgian youngster Romelu Lukaku has said that is delighted to join West Bromwich Albion on loan for the 2012-13 season.
The 19-year-old put pen to paper on a season-long loan deal from Chelsea on Friday after a disappointing debut campaign in the Premier League for the Blues in 2011-12.
However, Lukaku is pleased to have made his switch to the Baggies and has revealed that their manager Steve Clarke, Chelsea boss Roberto Di Matteo and his assistant Eddie Newton convinced him to move to the Hawthorns.
"Since the first day I spoke to Chelsea about going out on loan, I've spoken to the gaffer here a lot," said Lukaku on West Brom's official website. "[Clarke] was the first person who contacted me and that means a lot.
"He's been speaking to me every week since – even when I was in America with Chelsea – asking me about my situation.
"When you have a gaffer like that who has a desire to bring you to his club, as a young man, you feel confident to make the step into the unknown, because I don't know the Birmingham area that well. But I believe that will be good for my development as a young man and I'm very happy to be here."
"I heard lots of positives about the club from Roberto Di Matteo and Eddie Newton. They really convinced me to come here. Frank Lampard and John Terry also spoke highly about the gaffer. When you get that advice as a young player, you listen, and hopefully this is a good step for my career."
West Brom will start their Premier League campaign with a home game against Liverpool on Saturday August 18.
Subhankar Mondal
