Brann boss explains why West Brom’s £4.7m Aune Heggebo deal is ‘fantastic’ business

Add as preferred source on Google

Andrew Nestor, West Brom’s sporting director, is understandably delighted with the £4.7 million deal which brings Aune Heggebo from SK Brann to the English Championship.

After all, as Baggies icon Don Goodman explains, West Brom are crying out for a 20-goal a season striker.

No Albion hitman has reached that mark since both Dwight Gayle and Jay Rodriguez did so during the 2018/19 campaign.

And there is a real confidence over in his native Norway that Aune Heggebo will shine in English football. A ‘classic’ British centre-forward, to quote Eliteserien pundit Anders Parma. One who, due to his Norwegian heritage, his rangy frame, and his ruthless finishing skills, drew comparisons with a young Erling Haaland at one point.

West Brom agreed a £4.7 million fee with SK Brann late last week, much to the excitement of the aforementioned Andrew Nestor.

But how does his opposite number in Bergen – Per-Ove Ludvigsen – feel about the deal which sees Heggebo leave his hometown club after 51 goals in 146 games?

Per-Ove Ludvigsen says Aune Heggebo’s West Brom move is ‘fantastic’ for SK Brann

Well, there is a great deal of pride behind the scenes at the three-time Norwegian league champions.

Losing Heggebo after seven goals in 13 games this season, and with Brann in a title battle, is far from ideal from a sporting perspective. But, on the other side, a club-record sale justifies all the work both the coaching staff and the player himself have put into realising his vast potential.

Potential which Ryan Mason will now look to harness further as West Brom aim to end an eight-year wait for a 20-goal frontman.

“Although it is never nice to lose important players, this is a fantastic story for both Brann and Aune,” Ludvigsen tells the club’s official website.

“That a local boy, who has worked incredibly hard with coaches in both the academy and on the A-team for many years, now gets the chance abroad in such a big transfer is fantastic.

“This is recognition for both Aune and those who have worked with him over the years, and should be an inspiration to other young players that you can go very far with hard work over time.”

Heggebo explains why he is so excited by West Bromwich Albion transfer

Sindre, Aune’s ‘extremely happy’ father, feels Heggebo will feel at home at the Hawthorns. A footballer used to a hero’s welcome at his hometown outfit relishing the chance to represent what he himself describes as ‘one of the oldest clubs in Great Britain’.

“To experience English football culture with the stadiums, fanbases, atmospheres and passion there is for football, I’m really looking forward to it,” says Heggebo. “I’ve always been really big on English football when I was growing up, watching the Premier League and a bit of the Championship.

“It’s great to be here.”

Heggebo arrives after West Brom saw Lawrence Shankland sign a new deal with Hearts. Guingamp striker Jacques Siwe has been linked with Ryan Mason’s team too.

“Reinforcing our striker options was a top priority going into this summer, so we are pleased to have secured Aune’s signing,” beams Nestor.

“It’s advantageous to have completed this transfer now as it has allowed him to immediately join the team in Austria for our pre-season training camp.

“Aune is a young, mentally strong talent with the technical and physical attributes that we were seeking to add to the squad, as well as complementing our existing attacking options.”