West Bromwich Albion have signed Norwegian defender Torbjørn Heggem for an undisclosed fee from Swedish Allsvenskan outfit Brommapojkarna.
Heggem arrives at the Hawthorns on a three-year deal, as reported by the official West Brom website. Despite the fee remaining anonymous, reports suggest that the Baggies paid around £500,000 for the 25-year-old.
The Norwegian will have his first taste of English football with the Midlands side this season. He previously spent the majority of his career in Norway before joining Brommapojkarna in February 2023, as recorded by Transfermarkt.
But, the six-foot-three defender has plenty of experience though, and made 28 appearances in the 2023 Allsvenskan season, helping Brommapojkarna to avoid relegation via the playoffs. During the 2024 campaign, the 25-year-old played every minute in 12 Swedish top-flight outings before he joined West Brom. Heggem was mostly used as a left-back at Brommapojkarna but has also seen playing time in the left-sided centre-back position.
When speaking to West Brom’s official site about the move, Heggem said he wants to fulfil long-term aspirations of succeeding in England. Moreover, the Norwegian explained how head coach Carlos Corberán played a key role in making this transfer.
“It feels really great to be here, English football has always been the biggest thing in Norway. To play in England is a dream for every boy growing up there and hopefully I will achieve that now I have signed. I’m really looking forward to that.
“I feel like the head coach is very ambitious. He was telling me about his training ideas and the way he wants to coach. He really wants to get the best out of every player, and I think that will suit me well.”
Writer’s View
West Brom and Carlos Corberán have moved quickly for Heggem in this transfer market, suggesting he was a long-term target for the Baggies. Ultimately, it is a move that makes sense as the 25-year-old can now offer a genuine challenge to the only senior left-back at the club in Conor Townsend.
Heggem’s flexibility to play in his natural left-back position or cover at centre-back will be a useful asset for Corberán next season. But, if West Brom’s new man impresses in pre-season, he could even line up alongside centre-back Cédric Kipré for the Championship opener against Bolton in August.
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