Slaven Bilic hoping Filip Krovinovic can become a West Brom favourite

The 23-year-old became the Baggies first signing of the summer earlier this month when he joined on a season-long loan from Benfica.

Krovinovic has caught the eye in pre-season, with the playmaker demonstrating an impressive range of passing. He is on course to make his Championship bow when the Baggies kick-off their campaign at Nottingham Forest on Saturday night.

Bilic has tracked Krovinovic’s career since he was a youngster at NK Zagreb and part of the Croatia under-21 set-up. He believes his countryman has the ability to get supporters off their seats.

The boss also admires his ability to link play and bring the best out of his team-mates. He’s a good player and that’s why (we signed him),” said Bilic. “People here might not know him but I know him from Croatia. This is why we got him.

“What is good is when the other players recognise that he’s one of them and the one who’s the best as that type of player, when he’s got the ball he brings everyone else in.

“He’s very positive, very direct, but he also needs games.”

Krovinovic has played in Portugal since 2015, having initially joined Rio Ave from Zagreb, before switching to Benfica two years later.

The loan deal to Albion does not include an option to buy, though there is also no recall option, meaning the Baggies need not fear losing him in January.

Krovinovic has arrived at The Hawthorns aiming to kick-start his career after a frustrating period which saw his chances at Benfica limited by injury.

Promotion to the Premier League and winning a call-up to the Croatian national team are his goals.

“I hope we will play good football for our fans, it’s what they deserve,” he told the Express & Star last month. “I hope we will fight to get to the Premier League, I hope we can conquer that this year.

“About me, I hope that I will play, play good, and hope that one day it can open the national team for me. But of course, all my thoughts are on West Bromwich.”