This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…

West Brom have announced the signing of Cheikh Diaby on a free transfer after impressing manager Slaven Bilic over the international break while on trial.

What’s the word?

The 19-year-old will be drafted into the U23 squad in order to get him up to speed with valuable game time.

Diaby left Le Harve’s renowned academy during the summer after the expiry of his contract, and he very nearly became a La Liga player until that deal fell through.

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Valencia had agreed to sign the young striker when Marcelino was in charge, but the man to guide them to Copa del Rey triumph was sacked just three games into the new season, meaning the deal was pulled as Albert Celades took over.

Sporting and technical director Luke Dowling said: “We have taken an opportunity to give a promising young striker the chance to develop with us. We will see what the future will bring.”

Soule’s senior shot

The Premier League has seen many a Le Harve academy graduate grace the pitch over the last few years – most notably, the likes of Paul Pogba, Riyad Mahrez, Dimitri Payet, and Benjamin Mendy all have played in the Ligue 2 club’s youth ranks at some point early in their careers.

Diaby, therefore, could be given a shot to follow suit in the west Midlands.

Just over a week ago, the Baggies extended the deal of one of their more promising youngsters as Jamie Soule signed a new three-year contract at the Hawthorns.

This move to bring in Diaby could mean that the 18-year-old gets a crack at contending for a spot in the senior side.

Soule is clearly the primary weapon in the U23 squad having scored four goals in six appearances this season in the Premier League 2, but this latest decision to bring another striker into the youth setup could suggest that more significant opportunities elsewhere are arising as a result.

Charlie Austin has scored just the one league goal this campaign while Kenneth Zohore is failing to make a name for himself amongst sections of the Baggies support, so it could be smart to increase their competition by promoting Soule.

Bring in another forward like Diaby to use in the U23s would certainly allow them to do that.