Lee Camp Joins West Brom On A 6 Month Rolling Contract

Camp joins the Baggies on a 6 month rolling contract as a cover replacement for injured England international Ben Foster.

West Bromwich Albion have completed the signing of free agent Lee Camp as cover for first choice keeper Ben Foster. The Northen Irish international has been offered a rolling contract until January as he looks to take his place in the starting 11 due to a sustained injury by Foster on saturday, seeing him out of action for 3 months. The 29 year old was left a free agent following his release from Norwich at the end of last season as goalkeeping coach Dean Kiely was thrilled with the capture of Camp. Kiely stated following the Northern Ireland international’s move earlier today:

“We have acted quickly in the wake of Ben’s injury and made a really good signing. Lee comes with a strong pedigree, having played at a high level both domestically and internationally. He ticked a lot of the boxes we required when we began the search for another keeper.”

Camp began his career with Derby County as he joined the club as a teenager, gaining his first professional debut in 2002. Throughout a 5 year spell at the club, Camp made 89 league appearances for the Rams as he experienced loan spells with Norwich, Burton Albion and QPR during his time at Pride Park. In 2007 Camp joined London side QPR in which he made 50 league appearances during a 2 year spell, later moving back to the East Midlands with rival side Nottingham Forest. After establishing himself as Forest’s number one keeper, the 29 year old spent 4 years of his career at the Forest Ground before switching to Premier League side Norwich in January 2013 as cover for John Ruddy.

Overall, this was a move that was vital for the Baggies as an established and experienced keeper had to be brought in as a replacement for the England international. Camp bares much experience on the pitch as he looks to help the Baggies gain a similar league position to last season’s impressive campaign. A good signing by Steve Clarke as West Bromwich fans should also be satisfied with the deal as the 29 year old is a proven stopper.

West Brom Land Amalfitano On Season Long Loan As Anichebe & Sessegnon Look Set To Follow

Morgan Amalfitano joins the Baggies on a season long loan as he looks to bolster up the squad’s midfield.

West Bromwich Albion have completed the signing of French midfielder Morgan Amalfitano on a season long loan from Marseille as Steve Clarke looks to add to his squad due to signs of second season syndrome being highly visible. The Baggies have only picked up 1 point out of their opening 3 games as they look to improve their squad following their 0-2 home defeat to Swansea yesterday. The deal comes with the option of a permanent move as the Frenchman contains much experience as he has spent all of his professional career in the French top flight.

Amalfitano began his career with French outfit Sedan in 2003 as he struggled to help the club maintain their status in Ligue 1, falling to the French second division. After experiencing a successful season in the French Ligue 2, Sedan failed to gain promotion back into the top flight as Amalfitano established himself as one of the club’s most stable players in midfield. The 28 year old went on to make a total of 126 appearances for the club which saw him make his first transfer to fellow French side Lorient in 2008, making 124 appearances during a 3 year spell at the club. Netting 13 times for Lorient, Amalfitano moved to Marseille in 2011 on a free transfer as he once again established himself as a consistent first team starter. After experiencing a successful career with Marseille, Amalfitano handed in a transfer request this summer as the Baggies have offered the midfielder a crack at the Premier League.

Overall, Baggies boss Steve Clarke will be satisfied with this signing as Amalfitano contains stability, versatility in midfield and most importantly consistency. A regular first team player who should fit in the heart of the Baggies’ midfield could provide the team with that extra bit of flair which has been lacking in recent games. A good signing by West Brom as they are also in advanced talks with Sunderland’s Stephane Sessegnon & Everton’s Victor Anichebe. A busy day at the Hawthorns as Peter Odemwingie is also on the verge of moving to Premier League new boys Cardiff City.

 

Scott Sinclair Joins West Bromwich Abion On A Season Long Loan From Manchester City

Sinclair joins the Baggies on a season long loan as he ends a poor spell at the Ettihad. 

Manchester City castaway Scott Sinclair has completed a season long loan move to West Bromwich Albion with the option of a permanent deal next summer. Sinclair has been adamant for a move out of the Ettihad as the likes of Navas, Silva and Nasri has pushed the winger way down the pecking order. Sinclair struggled to break into City’s first team squad as he managed to make only 3 starts for the club last season, making him odds on for a move out of Manchester.

Sinclair began his career with league 2 outfit Bristol Rovers in which he was developed through the club’s youth system, making his professional debut at the age of 15, being the club’s second youngest debutant. 2006 saw London big boys Chelsea come calling for the winger’s services as he was welcomed to the Bridge for a fee of 200,000 pounds. Throughout his 4 year spell at the club, Sinclair was loaned on on 6 occasions as he experienced spells at Plymouth Argyle, QPR, Charlton Athletic, Crystal Palace, Birmingham City and FA Cup holders Wigan Athletic. During these 6 spells, the winger made a total of 74 appearances as he joined high flying Swansea in 2010 for a fee of 500,000 pounds. Sinclair was an instant hit as he netted 28 times in 82 league appearances, being regarded as Swansea’s most valuable player. During the final stages of last summer’s transfer window, Sinclair was tempted to a move back into England as he joined Former Premier League champions Manchester City on a 4 year deal. However, the 24 year old’s career turned sour as he was restricted to first team football due to big named players also joining the club. Sinclair only managed to clock up 15 appearances for the team as a move out of Manchester was beckoning for the winger.

Baggies boss Steve Clarke will be thrilled with this deal as Sinclair offers pace, trickory and an overall good work rate. A player who gives 100% every game will be looking to impress at the Hawthorns as their 0-1 defeat to Southampton implied that a quick wide man was needed. Sinclair should be in the starting line up for saturday’s game vs Everton as he links up with veterans Diego Lugano and Nicholas Anelka (not in the squad due to death of his agent). A player with extreme talent will be happy with this move as this move could re-kindle the winger’s form.

Udinese’s Matej Vydra Completes West Brom Loan Switch

Vydra completes a season long loan switch to the Hawthorns as he joins Veterans Diego Lugano and Nicholas Anelka.

West Bromwich Albion continue to add quality in their squad ahead of the new Premier League campaign by announcing the season long loan signing of Czech Republic striker Matej Vydra from Udinese. The highly rated forward spent last season on loan with Gianfranco Zola’s Watford as he played a crucial part in securing them with a play-off place, suffering defeat to Crystal Palace in the final. Baggies boss Steve Clarke stated earlier today following the completion of the deal:

“We had Matej watched throughout last season. As well as some excellent scouting reports, we had some really good feedback from within Watford about Matej as both a player and person. I’ve said previously we’re a bit light in the forward areas and Matej will increase competition for places. He’s another good quality striker to add to the other three senior forwards we have here.”

The Czech international began his career with home side Vysocina Jihlava in which he made 27 league appearances for the club, netting 5 times during a 2 year spell. After alerting several major clubs, fellow Czech side Banik Ostrava splashed out 20 million Czech Korunas on the striker as he moved to Italian side Udinese just 6 months after his previous transfer. Being took on by the club’s development team, Vydra was loaned out to Watford last season as part of Udinese’s new footballing programme, working alongside the English club. The 21 year old joined a host of players to Vicarage Road from Italy in which was seen as a squad development project. Vydra experienced an unbelievable loan spell with the club as he netted 20 goals in 41 league appearances, being later voted as the Championship player of the year.

Vydra has also made 7 appearances for his country as he has represented them since the age of 15, working his way up the age barriers from the U-16 squad until finally being able to play for the senior team. Overall, any West Bromwich Albion fan who has a keen interest in the championship will be thrilled over this loan signing as the player posesses extreme talent. The striker bares clinical finishing accuracy, exceptional movement and even a change of pace as baggies fans will be looking forward in seeing him in action. Vydra will have to fight for his place in the starting 11 as he joins Nicholas Anelka, Shane Long and Marcus Rosenberg amongst the squad’s attacking options. A fantastic signing by Steve Clarke as he completes another piece of fantastic business.

West Brom Sign Uruguayan Veteran Diego Lugano From PSG On A 2 Year Deal

Lugano pens a 2 year deal at the Hawthorns as he joins fellow veteran Nicholas Anelka

West Bromwich Albion have snapped up Urugayan veteran Diego Lugano on a free deal from French champions Paris Saint Germain. The deal reached its climax on Friday night as the centerback signs a 2 year contract at the Hawthorns, seeing him at the club until 2015. The big defender who spent half of last season on loan to Malaga is relishing the opportunity to play in the Premier League as he believes that it was something that needed to be accomplished in his footballing career:

“I’m doing something that has been missing in my career, playing in the Premier League, without doubt the most beautiful and competitive league in the world. The challenge is to match what West Bromwich achieved last season and trying to go a step further to reach European competitions.”

The out of favour PSG centerback made his big break for Brazilian outfit Sao Paolo in 2002 in which he made 96 league appearances scoring 8 times. After catching the eye of several major European clubs, Lugano opted for a switch to Turkish giants Fenerbache in a deal that was worth 7.5 million euros. Thoughout his time in Turkey the Urugayan made 125 league appearances for the club, netting 21 goals and winning 2 Turkish Super League titles. In 2011 big spending PSG came caling for the 32 year old’s services as he joined the French tycoons for 3 million euros. However, Lugano failed to make an impact at the club as the likes of Thiago Silva and 32 million euro signing Marquinhos put his career to a halt in Paris.

West Brom will be thrilled with the arrival of such a big name to the club as they are realy attracting some serious players to the Hawthorns this season. Lugano links up with fellow former PSG man Nicholas Anelka as the pair have added much needed publicity and attention to the club’s media. The Uruguayan international looks to take his place next to big Jonas Olsson as the two leaders will still need to fight for their place as defensive options at the baggies are getting highly competitive. With the likes of McAuley, Dawson and Tamas also hungry for first team football, Lugano will have to be on his toes in order to gain a stable place in West Brom’s starting 11. A fantastic signing for the baggies that brings experience, strength and even the odd goal as fans will be ecstatic over this move.

Baggies Midfielder Scott Allan Joins Birmingham City On A Season Long Loan

Allan joins Lee Clark on a season loan deal as the Scottsman makes his championship debut.

Birmingham City have secured the services of West Bromwich Albion midfielder Scott Allan on a season long loan deal. The 21 year old joins the Blues’ squad as manager Lee Clark struggled to bring back former loanee Ravel Morrison from West Ham as he believes that Allan is a perfect replacement, stating many similarities in the players’ attributes.

Clark stated earlier today following the capute of Allan:  “Scott’s been on our radar for some time and is a very talented player. It’s been common knowledge that I’ve been looking for this type of player – a Ravel Morrison-type midfield player. Obviously we’ve tried to bring Ravel back from West Ham but the indications are that after doing so well with us, he’s carried that on in the pre-season with West Ham and he’s impressed the manager.”

Clark implied that Morrison will most likely not be joining the club on a second loan season as he looks set to take his role in the West Ham squad ahead of their new Premier League campaign. Allan began his career with Dundee Utd in which he made 8 appearances at only the age of 18 back in 2010. After a 2 year spell at the club, Blues rivals West Bromwich Albion came calling for the young Scottsman’s signature as he joined the Baggies last year in which he spent 2 loan spells with crisis hit Portsmouth and league 1 outfit MK Dons. Allan is also a Scotland U-21 international in which he has made a total of 10 caps for his country, making his debut for the national team in 2011 against Norway.

Overall, Clark will be delighted with this deal as Allan has been recently linked to the likes of Celtic, Newcastle, Crystal Palace and even Rangers. A player who possesses movement and quick feet will be looking to make a positive impact at St Andrews as this move could even reach a permanent status. As not much is known about the midfielder, Allan looks like a player that requires more first team football in order to enhance his development. As Clark will know that this is vital, Allan could well be part of the starting 11 as the baggies will be keeping an eye on his future performances in the championship.

Jerome Thomas Pens 2 Year Deal At Selhurst Park

Thomas joins the Eagles in search of regular first team football, signing a 2 year deal.

Cystal Palace have signed free agent Jerome Thomas on a 2 year deal following the winger’s release from West Bromwich Albion. After securing a loan deal last season with Leeds Utd in November, the club were keen on brining in Thomas on a permanent basis, however the winger opted to stay in London as he believed Premier League football was a much better option aswell as moving back to his home city.

Thomas began his career with the Gunners in 2001 in which he spent 3 years at the club until signing for Charlton in 2004 for a fee of 100,000 pounds. Four years at the club gave the winger 104 appearances which saw him move to Portsmouth in 2008 and later completing his switch to the Hawthorns. Jerome went on to spend the next 4 years with the Baggies from 2009 which saw him make 99 league appearances, netting 11 times. The 30 year old will bring experience and pace to the squad as Thomas is an extremely reliable player who the fans can look to on a regular basis. With a total of 248 appearances, the Eagles will be satisfied with this signing as Palace fans know what he is capable of due to his previous Championship record. Thomas joins new-boys Dwight Gayle and Stephen Dobbie as they also look to begin their new careers at Selhurst Park.

Popov Signs Season Long Loan Deal With WBA

Popov extends Baggies stay with the option of a permanent move.

Steve Clarke continues his summer transfer business by re-signing Macedonian left back Goran Popov on a season long loan. The deal gives the left back a choice of a permanent transfer at the Hawthorns once his loan deal expires at the end of the season.

Popov spent last season on loan with the Baggies as his parent club Dynamo Kiev have allowed him to extend this to a 2 year spell. The 28 year old made 10 league appearances for the Baggies in in which he was center of attention during West Brom’s defeat to Spurs as the Macedonian spat at Kyle Walker, leading to a red card.The versatile full back has had playing experience all over Europe as Greek outfits Levadiakos & AEK Athens and Dutch team Herenveen have all required the Macedonian’s services.

The 2 time Ukranian Premier League winner will look to main more appearances for the Baggies in which will lead to a permanent move to the Midlands. A good player that will come useful in the squad as West Brom fans will be satisfied of the re-capturing of his services.

Marc-Antoine Fortune Joins Wigan On A 2 Year Deal After West Brom Departure

Fortune joins Wigan on a 2 year deal after leaving the Hawthorns.

Marc Antoine Fortune has joined Owen Coyle’s summer transfer spree as the former baggies striker joins Wigan on a 2 year deal. The 32 year old was welcomed to the DW Stadium yesterday in which he became Coyle’s 6th signing after replacing Roberto Martinez last month.

Fortune has experienced great spells with clubs such as Celtic, Brest, Utrecht, AS Nancy, Lille and even Doncaster Rovers as the striker has made a total of 138 British appearances, netting 27 times. As the Frenchman is not a natural goalscorer, he offers strength. experience and also versatility as he can play on the wing or even sit further back into midfield. After having a fantastic loan season for the baggies in 2009, Fortune signed for Scottish champions Celtic in 2010 for a fee of 3.5 million pounds which saw him spend 1 year at the club. However the Frenchman made a swift return to the Hawthorns in which he made 62 league appearances in 3 seasons.

After falling out of favour in the Baggies squad, Fortune decided to leave the club earlier this week in order to find regular first team football as Wigan came immediately calling. Due to the likes of Long and newly signed Anelka being highly depended on, the 32 year old’s services were not needed on a regular basis as Clarke still stated it as “a huge loss to the squad”.

Coyle stated yesterday: “To bring a player of such calibre to the football club is a great piece of business. He’s shown his qualities at the very highest level and, when I spoke to Steve Clarke at West Brom, he told me how he didn’t want to lose him, which goes to show how important he has been at his former club and proof that he has the capabilities to be a Premier League forward, never mind a Championship one.

“So I’m really exciting to bring him in, the first of the strikers to arrive, and I’m sure he’ll bring a great deal to the team. He’s powerful, can play anywhere across the front line and has pace to hurt defences.”

As Fortune only bagged 2 goals in last season’s campaign, he is definitely a player that will be missed in the squad as the fans percieved him as the reliable figure that was always present amongst the team. He joins defenders James Perch, Thomas Rogne, Stephen Crainey and goalkeeper Scott Carson as Wigan are looking like a very dangerious side for the new Championship campaign.

 

Anelka Joins West Bromwich Albion On A 2 Year Deal

Anelka signs a 2 year contract at the Hawthorns as he returns to England.

Nicholas Anelka has returned to the Premier League after his proposed move to West Bromwich Albion was completed earlier today on a free transfer. The former Chelsea, Real Madrid and PSG striker has passed his medical and completes a 2 year deal at the Hawthorns which sees him at the club until 2015.

Anelka left England in 2011 as he felt that it was time for a change due to ex-Chelsea boss Andre Villas Boas not having the French man in his plans. This led Anelka to join Chinese outfit Shanghai Shenhua in which he was given the role as a player manager with a reported salary of 170,ooo pounds a week. It was also confirmed that his former striking partner Didier Drogba would also join the Chinese club as they both experienced short spells which ended early due to lifestyle purposes. This saw the former French international leave China for Italian champions Juventus in which he experienced a 5 month loan in Turin.

After the capture of Carlos Tevez, Juventus decided to drop their interest in bringing Anelka back to the club which saw West Brom enquire about the Frenchman’s services. The 34 year old has had previous spells with English clubs such as Bolton, Manchester City, Liverpool and not forgetting his memorable youth career with Arsenal. Anelka boasts a Premier League total of 460 appearances netting 159 times. He also boasts a fantastic award cabinet as the striker has 2 Premier League titles, 2 FA cups, 1 Champions League, 1 Serie A title, 1 European UEFA football championship and 3 PFA awards. Anelka is certantly a proven top class goalscorer but the only thing that would worry West Brom fans is his high wages and mature age. Never the less an exciting signing for the Baggies as Steve Clarke adds a touch of world class to the squad. Definitely a signing to keep an eye out for in the new campaign as he just may raise a few eyebrows.