ALBION have made their sixth summer signing with the capture of left-back Marek Cech from Porto in a £1.4million deal.
The 25-year-old Slovakia international has put pen to paper on a three-year Baggies contract, plus a further year's option in the club's favour, after passing a Hawthorns medical.
Cech, who can also play left-midfield, helped Porto win the league title and reach the Champions League last-16 last term where they were knocked out by FC Schalke on penalties.
He has now linked up with Tony Mowbray's men on their pre-season tour of Holland and Germany.
The 6ft1in defender represented his country from Under-19s to Under-21s level and has scored three times in 29 senior appearances since making his full international debut against Japan in the 2004 Kirin Cup.
During last season's Euro 2008 qualifiers Cech netted a brace in a 5-0 win over San Marino in November and two months earlier notched a 90th-minute equaliser in a 2-2 draw with Ireland.
He came through the junior ranks at ASK Inter Bratislava and made his professional debut during the club's 2000/01 Slovakian league and cup double success.
In July 2004 he joined Sparta Prague where he enjoyed his first taste of Champions League football and won the Czech Republic league in his first season.
A move to Porto followed just 12 months later where he became part of the side to win the last three Portuguese league titles and the 2005/06 Portuguese Cup and Super Cup.
The Trebisov-born ace will be hoping to match the success of fellow Slovakian import and full-back Igor Balis, who scored four goals in 63 games for Albion between 2000 and 2003.
Ex-Slovan Bratislava star Balis will also forever be remembered for converting a stoppage-time penalty winner at Bradford to fire the club within three points of the Premiership in 2002.
In total, Cech has made 141 career league appearances, including 25 as a substitute, scoring three times.
PIC: CECH MATE...New Albion signing Marek Cech in action for Slovakia
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