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 added depth to his squad with the signing of veteran goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi on a deal until the end of the season, as confirmed on the Baggies' club website.

The 37-year-old Oman international has previously spent 12 years in English football with Bolton, Wigan and Reading and has spent the past two seasons playing in Saudi Arabia for Al Hilal.

So is Al Habsi a good addition at the Hawthorns? Do they need him?

We discuss.......

George Brooks

"This is a handy signing. Al-Habsi is a goalkeeper that most West Brom fans will be familiar with following his previous spells in English football.

"He's a good goalkeeper and he's got plenty of experience in the Championship.

"He will provide some competition for Sam Johnstone and Jonathan Bond and they will be able to learn from his experience and professionalism.

"I imagine Johnstone will still be the first-choice goalkeeper for West Brom this season, but Al-Habsi is a very good back-up option to have in my opinion."

Jacob Potter

“I think this is a smart signing by the Baggies.

“Al-Habsi has experience of playing in the Championship with Reading earlier in his career, and I think he’s a solid backup to have to Sam Johnstone.

“He’ll bring experience to a West Brom team that are relatively young this season which makes it a smart bit of business by Bilic’s side.

“He’s a better option to have between the sticks than Jonathan Bond is in my opinion, so I would expect to see Al-Habsi providing Sam Johnstone with the ideal competition for his starting spot this term.”

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Toby Wilding

"I think this could be a good signing for the Baggies.

"Although it is unlikely that Al Habsi will feature much for the Baggies this season given the impressive recent form of Sam Johnstone, the experience he possesses could still be useful when it comes to helping West Brom's number one develop his own game.

"Add to that the fact that, should the Baggies need to call upon Al Habsi at any time, he has proven his ability to compete at this level with several clubs in the past, and this does seem to be a smart signing for the Midlands side.

"With the Omani only signing a one year contract at the Hawthorns, you also feel as though this is a financially smart signing for West Brom, since it is not something that ties them into anything that may escalate into something too long term."