GRAHAM POTTER has described Anthony Knockaert’s move as a good one for player and club alike.

The French winger has signed for Fulham on a season-long loan which is likely to become more permanent next summer.

He joins what is expected to be a bid for promotion by the Cottagers following their relegation from the Premier League last summer.

The news, confirmed late yesterday afternoon, will have been met with a heavy heart by his army of fans among Albion’s following.

Knockaert was particularly instrumental in helping the club win promotion from the Championship in 2016-17.

He found the going tougher in the Premier League and only started 18 of their 38 league games last season.

But he provided one final magic moment with the brilliant goal which secured a precious 2-1 win at Crystal Palace, the Seagulls’ last victory in 90 minutes.

Solly March and Alireza Jahanbakhsh shared playing time on the right wing on Saturday as Albion lost 2-1 to Fulham in a friendly which Knockaert sat out.

Jurgen Locadia and Leandro Tossard had time on the left and, looking further ahead, Albion still have Jose Izquierdo to come back from injury.

It is also unclear how much use Potter will make of out-and-out wingers.

Potter said: “The move is a good one for the club and Anthony.

“The wide positions are areas in which we have a lot of competition within the squad.”

Knockaert’s Premier League playing time slipped by almost 600 minutes last season to 1,833 compared to 2,427 in 2017-18.

He came off the bench 12 times last term, was an unused sub in four games, served a three-game suspension for his red card against Bournemouth and was left out of the 18 for the 1-0 home win over Everton.

His 18 starts was well down on the 27 he made the previous season, when he also came off the bench six times.

Knockaert scored three goals and provided one assist in 2017-18.

His numbers for last term were two goals and six assists.

It is as a matchwinner in the Championship rather than a Premier League star that, justifiably or not, he has forged his reputation.

Albion chairman Tony Bloom said: “Anthony will always have a very special place in the history books of our club, as an important member of the side which won our first-ever promotion to the Premier League.

“He played an integral role across that season and was deservedly named both the Championship and club’s player of the season during that promotion campaign.

“He’s provided some wonderful moments, and on behalf of all Albion fans I would like to thank him for the memories and say good luck for the future.”

Fulham will hope to tap into magic which has helped take both Leicester City and the Seagulls up in the last six years.

Their vice-chairman Tony Khan said: “Anthony’s a talented and accomplished attacking player who will strengthen our team, and his past contribution to successes in the Championship will bring important experience to our squad as we pursue another Fulham promotion to the Premier League.

“Anthony’s been one of our top targets for the past several years, and I’m thrilled that he’s come to Fulham to play for our great supporters at Craven Cottage.”

Knockaert himself told Fulham’s club website: “The goal is to get back to the Premier League where Fulham belongs.

“I have come here with the clear intention to get promoted and I want to help in any way that I can.”