Isaac Price says he’s relishing the opportunity to be back in England and is determined to prove his capabilities in the Sky Bet Championship.
The 21-year-old joined the Albion on Wednesday afternoon from Belgian side Standard Liege on a four-and-a-half year contract.
Price, a senior Northern Ireland international with 18 caps to his name, spent 18 months at his previous club having risen up through the ranks at Everton earlier on in his career.
The midfielder described playing in Belgium as a great experience, but insists he’s really excited to get his teeth stuck into English football once more.
He said: “There was a little bit of interest in the summer and there was talk of the move happening then, but it didn’t. This time round, I found out in the early part of last week and as soon as I heard of the interest I wanted to get it done. I was over the moon and I’m really excited to be here.
“The move had been on my mind for the last few months. Sometimes as a player you’re almost playing to get the move you want and it’s worked out for me this time.
“It’s a good opportunity for me to show the manager what I can do and I think I’m going into it like all the other players are. Everyone will be trying to show him what they can do, even though the other lads have been here longer than me.
“He’ll get his first impression of me from training. I’m looking forward to meeting him and all the players and getting down to work.
“I’d say I was a box-to-box midfielder. I like to get involved in the attacking play, but scoring more goals is an area I’d like to improve. I like defending as well. I love getting back and making tackles. I’d say my strengths are passing and long-range passing in particular, and I’d also like to think I’m a good runner.
“Being in Belgium was a lot different compared to being in England, both and on and off the pitch. On the pitch it was really good for me. I developed really well and I had 18 months there. At the start, I went in and I played, but then there were moments where I wasn’t playing and I learnt more from watching.
“Sometimes you need that as a young player. It’s a physical league and very demanding. I feel like I’ve only developed from playing in it and I was playing consistently in it this year, so my experience there was really good overall.
“The plan was always to be in Belgium for about two years and play lots of football. I went there having not played too much first-team football. I was going there to play and that’s what happened, but I was looking to come back to England and now it’s happened.
“I watched as much football as I could when I was sat in my apartment in Liege not really doing much, so whenever games were on I would watch them. I watched the Luton game earlier this year. I know Mason from my time at Everton so it will be good to see him tomorrow and having him here will help me settle in.
“As I say, it’s great to be here and I genuinely can’t wait to get started.”
