Claudio Yacob loves being the West Brom No 5

Yacob gave his first interview in English and thanked Baggies fans for giving him a warm welcome at The Hawthorns.

But he admitted the cold weather has left him shivering after his free-transfer move from Buenos Aires club Racing Club last summer.

The 25-year-old has been a consistent figure as the Baggies have become established in the top half of the Premier League.

He said: "I am pleased with my performances and I want to offer more to the club. I am very happy and I will always do my best to please the fans.

"The people are very polite and I like the food. It is different to Argentine food but I like it. But I have never been so cold in my life. I miss the sunshine!

"It is a very competitive league but it is what I expected it to be, and I have enjoyed it very much.

"I think we have had a good season and we hope to keep up the good work.

"The fans' welcome means a lot to me and I would like to thank them for it."

The 25-year-old was handed the No.5 shirt on his arrival at West Brom, after wearing it since he was a teenager at Racing Club.

The number is traditionally worn in Argentina by defensive midfielders.

And Yacob has formed an impressive central midfield duo with fellow fans' favourite Youssouf Mulumbu.

"I have always worn the No 5 shirt in Argentina so I am happy to wear it at Albion," he said.

"I enjoy playing with Youssouf a lot. I think we complement each other very well on the pitch but in my opinion the most important partnership is the one I have with the whole team.

"The other players have welcomed me very well and it will improve when my English gets better.

"I want to carry on playing for Albion and I hope to keep us up high in the table this and next season."