Xu Ke makes West Brom transfer pledge in wake of Valerien Ismael appointment

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West Brom have confirmed the appointment of Valerien Ismael as their new manager.

The 45-year-old, formerly of Barnsley, has penned a four-year contract with the Baggies.

Ismael takes over from Sam Allardyce, who left Albion at the end of last season.

“Player recruitment will be of the utmost importance”

Baggies Chief Executive Officer Xu Ke has welcomed the “excellent” manager to The Hawthorns.

Ken has also pledged to work hard to try and secure “talented transfer targets” alongside Ismael and Head of Recruitment Ian Pearce.

“I am confident that by working together we will be able to achieve our goal of returning to the Premier League,” Ken told the West Brom media team.

“But success is earned by building on strong foundations, and our plans must now look further into the future.

“For too long we have focused only on what is immediately in front of us. This means we have often neglected our long-term aspirations.

“We are all aware of what will be required in order to be successful and player recruitment will be of the utmost importance.

“Valerien and I will immediately focus on preparing the squad for the new season, working together with Ian Pearce, our Head of Recruitment, to secure talented transfer targets who will strengthen us for the challenges ahead, ensuring fans are once more proud to support this great club.”

Valerien Ismael shone “against all expectations” at Barnsley

Ismael led Barnsley to a fifth-placed finish in the Championship, “against all expectations” according to their website.

Prior to taking the Barnsley reins, he managed Austrian outfit LASK Linz.

Ismael also previously coached a number of German sides including Wolfsburg, Nurnberg and Hanover’s second string.

The new Albion boss will arrive in the United Kingdom later this week following government quarantine rules.