Cristian Gamboa no gamble for West Brom

West Brom's imminent capture of Costa Rica World Cup star Cristian Gamboa will give head coach Alan Irvine a major selection dilemma.

But while fellow right-back new-boys Chris Baird and Andre Wisdom are familiar figures to English audiences, Gamboa was a relative unknown until bursting onto the scene at Brazil 2014.

Albion had been keeping tabs on the 24-year-old before the summer, with scouts watching him in action for Norwegian side Rosenborg as he played a starring role last season.

It was, however, his eye-catching displays in Brazil that convinced head coach Alan Irvine to push hard for the signature which the club now look set to land.

The recruitment database at Baggies' Great Barr training ground was full of scouting reports on the pacy defender.

Yet it was Irvine's insistence on making him a chief target that convinced them to take their interest further.

And it was Irvine's personal seal of approval that propelled Gamboa to the top of the list.

With Baird and Wisdom already on board and with their eyes fixed on the right-back spot, Gamboa faces a fight to claim a first-team place.

However, Irvine believes he has qualities that could make him unique in the Baggies squad and that can be utilised in several ways in a 'horses for courses' approach.

Pace is Gamboa's chief asset and Irvine will be keen to use his speed against rapid wingers.

But he is also versatile, having shown his ability to operate as a wing-back during his country's march to the World Cup quarter-finals in Brazil.

Reservations with some behind the scenes at Albion centre on Gamboa's positional play, with the former FC Copenhagen player prone to gamble on winning the ball on occasions and allow opponents to dart behind him.

But his pace often covers that flaw and the Baggies believe he will be a handy weapon, especially as he can operate as a wide midfielder if required.

He offers protection to a more orthodox full-back such as Wisdom and Baird, who is viewed as useful cover for a range of positions.

Gamboa started his career in his homeland, playing for top-flight side Municipal Liberia, before he was scouted and signed by Norwegian club Fredrikstad. After impressing in games for FFK, Gamboa was granted a move to Scandinavian giants Copenhagen.

After struggling to make his mark with the Danish club, Gamboa returned to Norway in 2012, initially on loan with Rosenborg before making his move permanent and flourishing.

Gamboa has 30 caps for Costa Rica's senior side.

But he also played for the under-20 outfit in their 2009 World Cup campaign, in which they finished fourth.

While Gamboa is a full-back by trade, it is his marauding overlaps that made him a hit in Norway and that also caught the eye at the World Cup.

And, having lost the energy and potential of Billy Jones and the steadying influence of Steven Reid during the summer, Albion will be keen to let Gamboa off the leash as an attacking force as well as a defensive option.