Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku says Steve Clarke swung a move in West Bromwich Albion's favour.

He said the high esteem with which current Chelsea boss and ex-Baggies promotion-winning head coach, Roberto Di Matteo, and his assistant Eddie Newton still hold for the Black Country outfit also proved decisive.

"I'm really, very happy to be here - there are nice people around," the Belgium international told the WBA website.

"Since the first day I spoke to Chelsea about going out on loan, I've spoken to the gaffer here a lot.

"He was the first person who contacted me and that means a lot.

"He's been speaking to me every week since - even when I was in America with Chelsea - asking me about my situation.

"When you have a gaffer like that who has a desire to bring you to his club, as a young man, you feel confident to make the step into the unknown, because I don't know the Birmingham area that well.

"But I believe that will be good for my development as a young man and I'm very happy to be here.

"This club really convinced me a lot, also with the stadium and the fans."

Lukaku added: "I heard lots of positives about the club from Roberto Di Matteo and Eddie Newton.

"They really convinced me to come here.

"Frank Lampard and John Terry also spoke highly about the gaffer."