West Brom snap up keeper Carson

Carson made his debut for England against Austria in November

West Bromwich Albion have signed England international goalkeeper Scott Carson from Liverpool for £3.25m.

The 22-year-old, who spent last season on loan at Aston Villa, has joined on a four-year deal.

Carson, who had been linked with a move to West Brom's fellow Premier League newcomers Stoke City, is the club's sixth signing this summer.

The fee for Carson could rise to £3.75m, while the club have an option to extend the contract by another year.

"Scott is a young keeper who has achieved a lot in a short space of time," manager Tony Mowbray told West Brom's official site.

"I think he's been looking for some stability in his career after spending a lot of his time as a Liverpool player out on loan at other clubs.

"Scott is one of a group of very talented, emerging, young English goalkeepers. Hopefully, we can provide him with a platform to push his career onwards and upwards."

Carson's signing takes the Baggies' summer spending to £13.75m.

606: DEBATE Brilliant signing! I'm sure Mowbray will work his magic on the lad wba_kel

Mowbray has also recruited Roman Bednar, Luke Moore, Do-heon Kim, Graham Dorrans, Gianni Zuiverloon and Marek Cech as he looks to build a squad capable of surviving in the Premier League.

Carson joined Liverpool from Leeds for £750,000 in 2005, but spent last season on loan at Aston Villa, making 35 Premier League appearances.

And the £3.25m fee marks a major reduction in the player's asking price, with Liverpool previously holding out for around £10m, a fee that saw Villa cool their interest in the player.

Carson had also been linked with Blackburn Rovers, with their keeper Brad Friedel reportedly a target for the Villans.