West Brom have completed the £3.25million signing of England international Scott Carson from Liverpool.

The 22-year-old goalkeeper, who played in 35 Premier League games for Aston Villa last season, has put pen to paper on a four-year-deal.

The club also have the option of adding another year to the deal.

West Brom's newly-promoted rivals Stoke ruled themselves out of the running for Carson on Thursday - who could cost the club £3.75million depending on performance-related criteria.

His arrival takes the Baggies' summer spending on transfers to an initial £13.75million after the signings of Roman Bednar, Luke Moore, Do-heon Kim, Graham Dorrans, Gianni Zuiverloon and Marek Cech.

Carson stands second in the all-time list of England under-21 appearance-makers with 29 to his name and was part of the team that reached the 2007 European Championships semi-finals.

Then England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson named him in his 2006 World Cup squad and he made two 'B' international appearances for his country before being handed his senior debut in a 1-0 friendly win over Austria in November.

Five days later, with regular number one Paul Robinson out of form, he was thrown in at the deep end in a make-or-break Euro 2008 qualifier against Croatia - but his competitive debut ended in misery as England slumped to a 3-2 defeat.

The 6ft 3in stopper joined Leeds as a trainee in September 2002 after being spotted playing for non-league Workington in the FA Youth Cup.

He made his Premier League debut for the Elland Road club against Middlesbrough in January 2004.

And 12 months later, with Albion tracking Carson, Liverpool beat off a host of clubs, including Chelsea, to snap him up in a £750,000 deal.

However, his chances at Anfield were limited and a two-month spell at Sheffield Wednesday towards the end of the 2005-06 campaign was swiftly followed by a season-long loan at then Premier League outfit Charlton.

He featured in all but two of the Addicks' league clashes and was voted the supporters' player of the year - despite their relegation.

SCOTT CARSON FACTFILE

1985: Born Whitehaven, Cumbria, September 3.

2002: Recruited to Leeds' Academy after a spell at non-league Workington Reds.

2004: January - Makes Leeds debut as late substitute against Middlesbrough after Paul Robinson was sent off.

February - A big month as he makes his full debut for the Yorkshire outfit in a 1-1 draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford, then follows with his England Under-21 debut against Holland.

2005: January - Despite only making three appearances for Leeds, Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez decides to pay £1million for his services. He signs a four-year deal.

March - Makes debut for Liverpool in Premier League defeat to Newcastle.

April - Makes Champions league bow in 2-1 win over Juventus.

May - Named in England squad to play USA and Colombia.

2006: March - Joins Sheffield Wednesday on loan, making nine appearances and losing just once.

May - Called up to England's World Cup squad after Robert Green pulled out through injury.

July - Extends contract at Anfield by two years.

2006: August - Joins Charlton on season-long loan deal and picks up club's Player of the Year award despite their relegation to the Championship.

2007: June - Overtakes Jamie Carragher and Gareth Barry as highest cap winner for England Under-21s, with 28, following his appearance against Serbia in the UEFA Under-21 Championship.

August - Joins Aston Villa on an initial season-long loan.

2007: November 15 - Benitez reveals that Carson will be allowed to join Villa on a permanent deal in the January transfer window.

November 16 - Wins first England cap as he keeps a clean sheet in the 1-0 friendly win over Austria in Vienna.

November 21 - Wins second cap as England face Croatia in decisive Euro 2008 qualifier but gifts the visitors the first goal at Wembley as the Three Lions crash out in qualifying following a 3-2 defeat.

2008 January 31 - Named in Fabio Capello's first England squad to face Switzerland at Wembley. The new England manager has overlooked the keeper for selection in his follwing three matches.

July 14 - BBC Radio Stoke report Stoke have agreed a £4million deal for the stopper.

July 17 - Stoke end their interest in Carson.

July 18 - The player joins West Brom for £3.25million.

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