This article is part of Football League World's 'The Verdict' series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

West Brom manager Slaven Bilic has strengthened his squad after experienced striker Charlie Austin joined from Southampton for £4m on a two-year contract, as confirmed by the club website.

Despite being troubled by injuries over the past few years, the 30-year-old former Swindon Town, Burnley and QPR forward  is a proven Championship goalscorer, who has scored 150 career goals, since being plucked from non-league football at Poole Town by Swindon in 2009.

So will Austin be a success at the Hawthorns and will he start?

We discuss

Alfie Burns

“This looks a really good deal on the face of things, and Austin could score a lot of goals stepping back into the Championship.

“If he finds form anything like he showed for QPR, he will tear the division up and will be amongst the top goalscorers.

“Of course, his fitness levels will be a concern and his recent problems will worry the Albion fans, but there will be plenty of excitement surrounding this deal.

“Albion look so strong on paper now.”

Ben Lang

"This looks to be an excellent deal for West Brom, and I think Bilic will be looking to get him straight in the starting line-up.

"Austin is a proven goalscorer at Championship level and this is exactly what Albion need following the departures of Dwight Gayle and Jay Rodriguez.

"The former QPR man has been known to suffer from injuries in the past, so the Baggies must work hard to keep him fit if they are to get value for money.

"However, I still think this is a great signing. West Brom were lacking that clinical edge against Nottingham Forest and Austin will go a long way to solving this problem."

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Louie Chandler

"It could be an excellent signing but it is not without its risks.

"In terms of quality, Austin is right up there in the Championship and just what the Baggies need. An aggressive, striker who can be ruthlessly clinical.

"But there is an injury cloud hanging over him. For the past two campaigns he has struggled badly for fitness and that could prove to be a big problem for Slaven Bilic.

"He is a striker who will be needed more often than not this season and if he is to pick up an injury, which I am sure he will, they will be left with Zohore and Robson-Kanu again."