New West Brom signing Semi Ajayi looking forward to weird Rotherham reunion

Albion’s new signing is returning to Rotherham United for a pre-season friendly just three days after joining the Baggies from the Millers in a deal worth an initial £1.5million.

Although he’s delighted to have signed for Albion, and is looking forward to learning his trade under Slaven Bilic, the 25-year-old also wants to say thanks to those who helped him mature as a player and made that move possible.

"I'm really looking forward to it,” he said. “It'll be good to go back and say goodbye to a lot of people who have played a big part in my last two years.

"It will be a bit weird because I'm used to going to the home changing room, but now it's the away changing room.

"Once the game starts, I'll put that out of my head and be ready for the task ahead.”

Ajayi was one of Rotherham’s star players in the Championship last season, scoring eight goals while swapping between defensive midfield and centre-back.

Although he's comfortable in a variety of positions, he feels most at home in the back line, and that's where he played on Saturday against Scunthorpe.

"I've played centre-half the longest, so I'm most comfortable there, but I equally enjoy playing in midfield and I've played at right-back a bit,” he explained.

"I've put in good performances in those positions, but I see myself as a defender that can play in midfield.”

The former Arsenal academy player is looking forward to working under Bilic, a former centre-half himself.

And he admitted he was eager to come to The Hawthorns once he heard Albion were interested, picking them over Barnsley.

“It was a big draw because he's obviously had a great playing career and a great managerial career,” said Ajayi. "With him being a former centre-half, I feel like I can learn a lot from working under him.

"I'll just be like a sponge while I'm working here, taking all the information in from him so I can improve my game.

"It's a really good opportunity for myself, it's a really big club that has got ambitions to play at the highest level.

"I'm glad to be here and hopefully I can help. It probably took about a week (to join Albion) and I was anxious for it to get done, so I'm happy it's all done now."

Embroiled in a relegation battle with the Millers last season, a successful and respectable campaign under Paul Warne wasn't quite enough to keep Rotherham up.

With just one year left on his contract, Ajayi was always destined to be sold this season, but now he's keen to be fighting at the other end of the table.

"That has to be the target, the main aim is promotion,” he said. "I'll try my best to help do that.

"Even in a relegation battle, the pressure is the same as it is when you're at the top, trying to win games.

"I think I thrive under pressure so it'll be good to have a different kind of pressure this season, hopefully fighting at the top end of the table.”

Kick-off at the New York Stadium is 7.45pm.