Carlos Corberan heaps special praise on 'exceptional' West Brom summer signing

Heggem has started every game for Albion in the Championship since arriving from Swedish outfit IF Brommapojkarna on a three-year deal in July.

The 25-year-old, who made his international debut for Norway in October, has played a key role in helping the Baggies to keep three clean sheets in the last four league matches. 

In total, Albion have racked up seven clean sheets in the league and have conceded the third fewest goals (seven) in the division so far this term. Heggem has made 12 appearances for Albion – registering one assist in the process. 

Corberan has been impressed by Heggem’s performance levels in the opening stages of the season and insists his early success is testament to the shrewd work of his recruitment staff behind the scenes. 

“I am very pleased because from the first moment his adaptation has been exceptional, his performance level has been exceptional,” the Spaniard said.“

For me, against Blackburn, (Alex) Palmer, (Darnell) Furlong and Heggem, so the two full-backs, were the best players in the game. I didn’t see any negatives in attack or defence. Both with sensational work.

“I insist that the Heggem signing is the consequence of the good work from our recruitment department.”

Heggem shuffled over to left centre-back during Albion’s goalless draw against Cardiff City at the Hawthorns on Saturday, after defensive pair Semi Ajayi and Paddy McNair were forced off with suspected knee and hamstring issues respectively. 

That has increased the injury problems at the back after it was revealed last week that centre-back Kyle Bartley is poised to spend four to six weeks on the sidelines due to a meniscus concern in his knee. 

Heggem regularly starred at left centre-back in a defensive trio for former club Brommapojkarna and Corberan acknowledged that his versatility across the back-line was a key factor behind bringing him to the club.

“When we watched him he had the habit to play more as a left centre-back in a line of three. That was the main position of his career,” he continued.

“But he played some games as a left-back in a line of four more than as a centre-back in a line of four.

“One of the reasons I like him and we bring him in is his skill to adapt to different positions. I saw him as a right-back, left-back, left-centre-back in a line of three and a few moments as centre-back in a line of four.

“My expectation at the beginning was he would be more cover for centre-back in a line of four. He will be a more a first XI option as a left-back.“He is a good option as right-back cover too and has more option in the first XI at centre-back if I decide to play a line of three.”