Commanding centre-half Martin Albrechtsen arrived from West Bromwich Albion at the start of July 2008.

The Dane has experience of Premier League football and was also a promotion-winner during his time at the Hawthorns.

Albrechtsen, who joined on a free transfer and signed a two-year deal, is a proven quality player at the highest level and rejected the attentions of several clubs in favour of a move to Pride Park Stadium.

He began his career in Denmark with Akademisk BK before joining FC Copenhagen in 2002 - as a replacement for former Rams captain Jacob Laursen.

The Baggies snapped him up for a then-club record £2.5m in the summer of 2004 following their promotion to the Premier League and he played a key role in their great escape from relegation that season.

As well as 55 top-flight appearances, Albrechtsen also has 63 Coca-Cola Championship outings to his name and was a regular in their title-winning side last season.

Albrechtsen's club career tally is 288 games, with 11 goals, and a further six international caps for Denmark.

He stands six feet two inches tall and weighs in at over 12 stones.

LAST UPDATED: July 4 2008.