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Irish international midfielder Keith Andrews last night joined West Bromwich Albion on a free transfer from Blackburn Rovers.

The transfer is a short-term deal until the end of the current Premier League season. The player passed a medical late last night and will now wear the club's No.8 shirt.

“Keith is a player I know well and have admired for several years," said WBA boss Roy Hodgson on his new signing.

“He is a flexible midfielder who can play in a number of roles across midfield. He will bring experience to the squad and also has a good goalscoring record.

“We’re delighted to have him on board as we look to achieve our primary target, which is to secure a third successive season of Barclays Premier League football.”

In other Irish international news from yesterday's January transfer deadline day, Newcastle striker Leon Best turned down the opportunity to join Celtic on loan.

Considering that the player will have to break into Newcastle's all-Senagalese strike force of Demba Ba and Papiss Demba Cisse to catch Trap's eye ahead of Euro 2012, it's a curious move.