Torbjorn Heggem: The unassuming West Brom 'robot' hero who shuns limelight

Heggem, 26, was the big winner at the club's awards bash at the start of this week as he came away with player of the season awards voted for by his Baggies team-mates and supporters.

The 2024/25 Championship campaign is not over with four matches to play of the regular season and much on the line for Tony Mowbray's Albion - but it has already been a memorable debut season in England for the Norwegian.

Heggem, who checked in from IF Brommapojkarna in a deal worth a little over half-a-million pounds last summer, was not sure how he would adapt to English football following a move from Sweden. He has done than merely adapt - instead the rangy left-footed centre-half has transformed into one of Albion's biggest assets, barely missed a minute all season and will have caught the eye of suitors from above.

"It was more than I was expecting for sure," Heggem admits. "Coming here I wasn't sure if it was too big of a step for me coming from Sweden to the Championship. I knew the level was higher than I was normally playing in Sweden and Norway.

"It's been a really nice year for me and to get two awards is of course a big honour.

"Of course I am very proud. It's a big honour. I also feel like when the season is not finished I will maybe feel those feelings more after the season hopefully when we are going up as well."

Mowbray's side could make a big step in the bid for promotion with a win at arch-rivals Coventry on Friday. Victory at the CBS Arena would bridge the three-point gap to their hosts and take Albion back into the top six.

Heggem, who has become a full Norway international and played alongside Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard for his nation this season, is not usually one for the accolades and awards. He finds it much more comfortable in the background - and indeed was sheepish at the beginning of the campaign when Baggies fans began his now-familiar vociferous chant of "HEGGEM!"

In a humble tone he adds: "To get the awards is really big. I am usually the player that is more behind the big stars, let's say, or the artists. Now I am more the frontman with the awards. That's a little bit of a difference. It is really satisfying.

"I did hear I had a chance - I'm not going to lie!"

The defender continues with a smile: "When our top goalscorer (Josh Maja) got injured halfway through (the season) that helped me out as well! It is more typical the top goalscorer gets the award.

"I feel like the support I got from the supporters from the start has been something special. I feel I was getting the support through the whole year.

"I'm really grateful for the support I've got from the fans. So that was just the last (touch) - when I got the award from the supporters."

Heggem missed his first league game this season against Bristol City last week - and was gutted in doing so having set himself a personal challenge to start all 46 Championship fixtures.

When he posted pictures of his player of the season awards on Instagram earlier this week it was flooded with congratulations from his team-mates. One, from Mikey Johnston, said: "Love it robot."

The defender's compatriot Haaland is often referenced as a goalscoring robot - so reliable in the box for Manchester City it is almost boring - and it is doubtless Heggem's consistency levels that his dressing room nickname refers to.

Asked of the moniker, Heggem smiles: "You will have to ask them! I think it's about not missing a training or a match before last week.

"I heard it's not normal to come to the Championship and playing - almost - every match. I think that's the reason ... I think it's more physical!"

Baggies boss Mowbray said of double-prize winner: "I didn't know anything about Heggem, I've had a tough year so I hadn't been watching every West Bromwich Albion game.

"So he's been new to me but I've been very, very pleased with what he produces week in, week out. All the best central defenders have consistency. He very rarely has a rick that costs you, he's very mobile, aggressive, wants to win duels, has good distribution. He's what I'd hope and want a club of this statue to have."