Brayann Pereira believes participating in English football will bring out some of his best “qualities” having made the move to Albion from Eredivisie outfit NEC Nijmegen.
The powerful right-back joined the Baggies on transfer deadline day, signing a four-year contract.
Pereira, who helped NEC record a third-place finish in the Dutch top flight in 2025/26, caught the eye during his time in the Netherlands with attack-minded, tenacious and direct displays down the right flank – traits the 23-year-old is confident he can showcase in the Sky Bet Championship.
The former Lens and Auxerre man insists he’ll “give everything” in the navy-blue-and-white stripes and is eager to get started at The Hawthorns.
Brayann said: “I’m really happy to be here. I think the English competition will be really good for me because it will match with my playing style.
“This is a really big and historic club. I can’t wait to get started. It’s really exciting to be here.
“I knew the club wanted to sign me about five days ago, so we didn’t have too much time to get the deal done. I really wanted to come here because I think this is a really good project for me.
“I prefer to play at right-back, but, in my old team, I played as a centre-back on the right side because we played with three central defenders. I want to adapt and I am here to give my best. If the coach wants to put me in any position, then I am ready and willing to give my best.
“This will be my first experience of English football and I am expecting a lot of intensity. English competitions have a lot of intensity in them and players have to do a lot of running. I like these kind of things – I like to run, go into duels, that sort of thing. I think the English competition is the best competition for me. I work really hard and I never give up. I have a strong mentality.
“I have watched a little bit of the Championship because one of my friends plays for Stoke City, Lamine Cisse. This is how I know the competition is really intense and really competitive. I also watched our game against Newcastle last week and I saw the Middlesbrough one too. The team is very good and I can’t wait to play.
“I have improved a lot over the last few years during my time at NEC Nijmegen. The league in the Netherlands is very different to France. It’s a very technical league and every player is expected to be very good with the ball. I have improved a lot technically as well as tactically.
“I played in the Champions League qualifiers over the last month and that was amazing for me. I managed to reach that high level with my team and I really appreciated that. I want to continue to improve and develop and I’m confident I will do that here.
“I spoke with the manager. He told me all about the club and how he was a player here. He said that my qualities can help the team. He said that I am fast and strong and that will help the team.
“It was a really good conversation. He told me the team want to play good football and keep the ball. I like to play football too and keep the ball, so, hopefully, we can have a good season.
“I want to give everything here. I want the team to have a great season. I want to show all my qualities and I want to make our fans happy.”
Pereira’s transition into life in England and at the Albion will be aided by fellow French-speaking players Ousmane Diakité, Nolan Galves and Rabby Nzingoula.
The full-back is adamant the trio can help him “adapt” and says he’s really looking forward to learning more about the club and the area.
Brayann added: “It’s good for me to have some French guys here and guys who can speak French, such as Ousmane Diakité, Nolan Galves and Rabby Nzingoula.
“We can speak together and they can help me adapt to this new situation and new team. I spoke with them at lunchtime and they were speaking really highly about the facilities, the staff, the fans and the club.
“I heard only good things. I can’t wait to continue to learn about all the players and the club as a whole. It’s a new environment for me and that is exciting. They can help me settle quicker into my new surroundings and my new team. I am happy they are here.”
