Romelu Lukaku says a combination of Steve Clarke, Roberto Di Matteo and Eddie Newton convinced him to join West Brom for the 2012/13 season.
The 19-year-old striker joined Chelsea from Anderlecht in August 2011 after scoring a total of 41 goals in 98 appearances over the course of four seasons in Belgium.
However, the Belgian international failed to break through into the Chelsea line-up last term, leaving him looking for first-team opportunities elsewhere.
Fulham were linked with a potential loan move but Lukaku said former Chelsea assistant coach and present West Brom manager Clarke showed a real desire to bring him to the Hawthorns.
“Since the first day I spoke to Chelsea about going out on loan, I’ve spoken to the gaffer here a lot,” he told WBA’s official website.
“He (Clarke) was the first person who contacted me and that means a lot.
“He’s been speaking to me every week since, even when I was in America with Chelsea, asking me about my situation.
“When you have a gaffer like that who has a desire to bring you to his club, as a young man, you feel confident to make the step into the unknown, because I don’t know the Birmingham area that well.
“But I believe that will be good for my development as a young man and I’m very happy to be here.”
Lukaku added the advice from Chelsea manager Di Matteo and his assistant Newton, both formerly at West Brom, helped persuade him.
“I heard lots of positives about the club from Roberto Di Matteo and Eddie Newton,” he added.
“They really convinced me to come here.
“Frank Lampard and John Terry also spoke highly about the gaffer.
“When you get that advice as a young player, you listen, and hopefully this is a good step for my career.”
West Brom begin their English Premier League campaign at home to Liverpool on August 19.
