Who is Paddy McCourt?

You may well be wondering.

Arthur Duffy, sports editor of the Derry Journal, told me a little more about the winger who has been causing a stir in the Eircom League.

"Ask any supporter of any club on who the best, most exciting player in the League is and they'll probably all say Paddy McCourt," said Arthur. "He really is a special talent."

Tony Mowbray is no stranger to McCourt - he tried to sign him for Hibs back in 2005, only for the player to reject a move to Scotland.

Yet it seems Albion have picked up someone special - £75,000 now, followed by the same amount after 10 Premier League appearances with a friendly against Derry City thrown in - who could create a huge impression in the Black Country.

By all accounts McCourt is most at ease when he's running the ball, gliding past defenders, teasing opponents and using his pace to devastating effect.

With long flowing hair, a beard, a dishevelled look and the ability to excite fans, McCourt clearly belongs in the 1970s.

Off the field he's a character. One colleague tells me how McCourt got pictured with a pint glass, looking a little worse for wear and propping up a bar in a 'nights out' section of the local newspaper. Nothing wrong with that you might think...except the snap was taken on a Friday night before a Saturday game.

That, I should point out, was many years ago, when he was still a teenager. By all accounts he's calmed his ways since, which in some ways is disappointing (not that I'd ever encourage anyone to break pre-match curfews you understand).

Football needs characters and personalities, even if football managers don't.

Whether or not Tony Mowbray will come to regard McCourt as a big hitter in his Premier League plans remains to be seen. Clearly Albion have a huge talent in their ranks. Yet there is a strong possibility McCourt may need to bide his time and wait for his chance.

Perhaps he will be used as an 'impact substitute'?

We shall see.

One thing's for sure - you get the feeling we're going to be hearing a lot about this particular 24-year-old in the coming months.