Official: Bologna buy Heggem from West Bromwich Albion

Bologna have officially completed the transfer of defender Torbjorn Heggem from West Bromwich Albion for a reported fee of €9m including add-ons.

There had been some different reports over the cost of the operation, but most Italian sources put the final figures at circa £8m.

The central defender is effectively the replacement for Sam Beukema, who was a big summer sale to Napoli for over €40m.

Heggem bolsters Bologna defence

It is a significant profit for West Bromwich Albion, who only paid €600,000 a year ago to sign Heggem from Brommapojkarna in Sweden.

Last season, he also managed to contribute one goal and two assists in 45 English Championship appearances for West Brom.

Although the defender did play in the season opener, he was suddenly withdrawn from the squad for Tuesday’s match against Derby, a sign that the medical tests were imminent.

The 26-year-old has seven senior caps for Norway and came up through the Rosenborg academy.

He becomes the first ever Norwegian to wear the Bologna jersey, bringing height and power to the defence.