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Albion new boy reports for duty after World Cup

And he is also looking forward to showing what he can do with the ball at his feet with his new club.

The Austrian centre-back has linked up with his new team-mates at their Lancing training base, just eight days after his national team went out of the World Cup.

Svoboda led Venezia to the Serie B title last season and has been away with his national team, although he did not get on the pitch in the USA as they reached the round of 32.

Now he has set his sights on the coming campaign, working under the guidance of Fabian Hurzeler and his staff.

The head coach has made it clear what part the new man can play.

In an in-house interview by club media, Svoboda said: “He explained to me what kind of football he wants to play, how I can fit in the team.

“I think I am a pretty physical guy who also likes to have the ball at his feet, can read the game on the pitch well.

“I think that fits quite well.”

Albion have had the balls out right from the start of pre-season, although that work is combined with making sure players stick to personalised fitness plans and targets as their performance levels are closely monitored.

They face French second-tier side Annecy behind closed doors on Saturday, July 25 followed by a similarly private fixture with Strasbourg a week later.

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