Albion have strengthened their goalkeeping options after agreeing to sign Michael Poke on a Bosman free transfer.
The 6ft 1in stopper will complete a one-year deal on 1st July when his current contract at Southampton expires.
The 24-year-old put pen-to-paper on a pre-contract at the club offices this afternoon, and is due to link up with the rest of the squad for pre-season training at the end of the month.
Albion manager Gus Poyet said, "We are delighted to bring a goalkeeper like Michael to the squad.
"He is young, and has the kind of personality that we are looking for.
"He will come here to challenge for the number one spot, and that is the type of player we want - one who will be challenging for a starting place every week."
Poke began his career at St Mary's, and after brief loan spells at Oldham and Northampton, the talented young keeper helped Torquay to gain promotion back into the Football League via the Blue Square Premier playoff final in 2008.
He made such an impact at Plainmoor that the Gulls secured his services for the whole of last season, and Poke played his part in helping the Westcountry side to maintain their League Two status.
Poyet added, "He did really well during his time at Torquay, and we've had some great reports from his performances last season.
"He has plenty of experience at tough times during a season. He won promotion with Torquay, and then there was a chance that they might go down last season, but he helped them to get out of trouble."
Poke was in goal for Torquay when Andrew Crofts's late header gave Albion victory at Plainmoor in the FA Cup third round in January.
