Nacer Chadli opens up on why he chose to leave Tottenham for West Brom, hails Pocognoli impact

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The winger left Spurs for the Baggies in a £13 million move in the closing days of the transfer window.

Nacer Chadli has opened up on why he chose to sign for West Bromwich Albion, and told the club’s official website that his compatriot and Albion defender Sebastien Pocognoli had a big impact on his decision.

Chadli left Tottenham Hotspur after three years to join the Baggies in a club-record £13 million deal two days before the close of the summer transfer window.

The Belgian was often no more than a rotation player at White Hart Lane – only 72 of his 119 appearances for the club were starts – but even so, his move to a lower-mid-table club was something of a surprise.

Now, in an interview published on Albion’s official website, Chadli has revealed that he chose to join the club because of how proactive they were in attempting to secure his signature.

The 27-year-old said: “I had a few clubs interested but West Brom came very quickly and they showed concrete interest and wanted to make it happen.

“I thought if they really want me, it’s important for me to go there and prove myself. That’s why I chose West Brom.”

Chadli also went on to highlight the role that West Brom defender Sebastien Pocognoli played in his decision to choose a move to the Hawthorns over other potential destinations.

Both Chadli and Pocognoli were born in Liege and played together for five years in the youth system at Standard Liege before going their separate ways at the start of their professional careers.

Chadli added: “I’ve known Sebastien for a long time, ever since I was 12 years old back in Standard Liege, he’s from my hometown. He played until he was 15 or 16 and then he went to another club. He was two years older than me so I was not playing in the same team but I know him from then.

“I spoke a bit to Pocognoli who was here, he was very positive about the club. I spoke to the manager and the good people at the club, and I was very convinced about my choice.”

Chadli will be hoping to become a integral player at Albion in the way that he never managed at Spurs, and as their record signing it is to be expected that he will play a leading role this season.