CRAIG Dawson has been officially sworn in as a Wanderers player – and Dougie Freedman reckons he will be well worth the wait.

The England Under-21 international has joined on a 93-day loan, which will take him up to the penultimate game of the season.

And having bided his time for the last couple of months to secure the defender's signature from West Brom, Whites boss Freedman was delighted to finally land his man.

“We have worked very hard on this one and he has had half a dozen teams to pick from,” he said.

“I'm very pleased he's coming to us, and not I would like to point out, for money reasons.

“The kid feels this is where he would like to better himself.”

Blackburn Rovers, Leeds United and Leicester City were among the clubs who had enquired about taking former Radcliffe Boro man Dawson on loan.

And though Freedman feels he has been stretched tight defensively because of injuries to Matt Mills and David Wheater, and Stephen Warnock's return to Aston Villa, the Scot did not consider looking elsewhere as the Baggies delayed on the deal.

“I don't think it's right for me to go and bring in five or six signings for the sake of it, try and turn things round with a quick fix,” he said.

“I feel I have to do it quietly, make sure that the signings I make improve my team and if I have to be patient then that is what I'll do.

“I have been after Craig for a few months, to be honest. And it's paid off.”