West Brom capture Bolton’s Meite

West Bromwich Albion have signed Abdoulaye Meite from Bolton for £2 million.

The centre-back, who can also play at full-back, signed a three-year deal yesterday. The fee could rise to £2.5 million depending on appearances.

Meite, 27, was a regular at Bolton after signing in July 2006, playing in the team that finished seventh and qualified for the UEFA Cup. But his chances were limited after Gary Cahill signed from Aston Villa in this year’s January transfer window.

Meite joined Bolton from Marseille where he played in the UEFA Cup final and the Champions League during his five-year spell. He is also a regular for the Ivory Coast, having played in the last two African Nations Cups.

He is Baggies boss Tony Mowbray’s eighth summer signing following the captures of Gianni Zuiverloon, Marek Cech, Scott Carson, Roman Bednar, Luke Bedmore, Do Heon-Kim and Graham Dorans.