James McClean will return to Premier League action after West Brom made the Republic of Ireland winger their first signing of the summer.
The 26-year-old from Derry has joined from League One side Wigan for an undisclosed fee believed to be in the region of £1.5 million and is tied to the Baggies for three years, with the club retaining an option to extend the deal for a further 12 months.
McClean told West Brom’s official website: “I’m delighted. I’ve played in the Premier League before and not only am I back here, but I’m with a stable top-flight club and one that wants to push on.
"Tony Pulis told me what his plans were, where I would fit in. It was all very positive. The Premier League is where any player wants to be."
The former Sunderland player added of his new boss at The Hawthorns: “He also told me he has a great dressing room, it’s been a stable club, but he’s made it clear he wants to push this club on.
“I’m very ambitious. Everything about this move seems right for me, I’m very positive about it.
“Once the Albion came in this was a move I was keen to get done, this is a big club and a new chapter for me.”
After making 41 appearances for Sunderland in the 2012-13 season, McClean joined surprise FA Cup winners Wigan.
He would make 86 appearances for the Latics, scoring 10 goals, but could not stop the club suffering relegation from the Championship last month.
Baggies manager Pulis welcomed his first arrival of the close season, saying: “He’s got Premier League experience from his time with Sunderland.
“James has had a couple of indifferent years with Wigan but he did well at Sunderland and we’re very pleased to have him on board.
“I am absolutely confident that he can fulfil the potential to come back and be a big player for us.
“He’s got pace, he’s left-footed, so he gives us a good balance in the side and he can score goals.”
McClean has 27 caps for Ireland and featured at Euro 2012, making one substitute appearance against Spain.
