SAM Allardyce is tipping Julio Cesar to become a top Premiership defender.

First impressions suggest the Wanderers boss pulled off one of the best bargains of the summer when he signed the Brazilian from Spanish club, Real Valladolid, on a free transfer.

Even Big Sam himself is getting excited at the prospect of seeing the 25-year-old develop into a top-notch centre-half.

There is still room for improvement but he believes there is plenty to work with, and is relishing the task of honing the talents of the former Real Madrid man.

The manager said: "The mind boggles at what he can achieve if he continues to learn how to defend in the Premiership because he's got all the right attributes.

"We were wondering whether he'd be a little cautious and sometimes maybe switch off and that's why the Spanish let him go. You always look for a little baggage.

"At the moment we are talking to him about not switching off and taking the right positions early. Hopefully, he's learning from us as much as he's ever learned."

Cesar, who played on loan for AC Milan, Benfica, Real Sociedad and Austria Vienna during his days at Madrid, turned in a solid debut performance alongside the ever-reliable Bruno N'Gotty in Saturday's 4-1 hammering of Charlton.

Allardyce had reservations about starting the season with anyone who had not played in the Premiership before but he could not have been happier, after preferring Cesar to the vastly-experienced Radhi Jaidi.

He added: "What swayed my decision was Julio's experience in the Spanish and Italian leagues over the last few years in Madrid, Milan and Valladolid. That gave him a little bit more experience over Jaidi, who's only played in Tunisia, which is not quite the level of La Liga or the Premiership.

"It just gave him the edge but I'm sure he (Jaidi) will play a major part of the season.

"Julio laid a lot of fears to rest about whether he will be able to cope with the Premiership. There's still a long way to go for us and for him, but it was a solid defensive performance. That will help him because the talent is there.

"There's pace, bravery, good heading ability, he's two-footed, has a decent touch and he's not a bad passer. It's only the brain that's going to stop him being a top player. But if we can talk to him and work with that and teach him to defend correctly in the Premiership and make sure he knows what needs to be done, he can take that on board and be great.

"When new players come in like that you get a little bit more excited and a little less anxious."