Dorrans signs new Albion contract

Monday 4th January 2010, 10:30AM GMT.

HUDDWBA 3 TT 02Albion midfielder Graham Dorrans has signed a new deal tying him to the Hawthorns until 2014.

The Scotland international has put pen to paper on an improved three-and-a-half-year contract, with a further year’s option in the club’s favour.

The agreement looks set to kill speculation over a possible January exit for the 22-year-old, who is likely to net at least £2million if he sees out the contract at The Hawthorns.

Dorrans only penned his previous deal last May, but the Baggies have moved quickly to recognise his flying start to the season by putting him on a par with the club’s higher earners.

He said: “I’ve really enjoyed the season so far and I’m glad it’s all sorted now so I can concentrate on playing. I came down from Scotland and got my chance here. I’ve broken into the team and managed to play most of the games this season.

“I now just want to keep playing and hopefully get the club back up.”

Dorrans agreed a three-year contract last summer but his scintillating start to the Championship campaign has attracted scouts from a host of Premier League clubs.

The new deal with almost certainly deter any bids in January and increase Dorrans’ financial value, should the Baggies fail to win promotion and top-flight clubs revive their interest.

It will also significantly increase the player’s wages and guarantee him a further hefty rise if he helps the club return to the Premier League.

Head coach Roberto Di Matteo said: “I’m delighted Graham has further committed his future to the club by signing this new-and-improved deal. It’s fully deserved for the progress he has made this season.”

Dorrans is the second Baggies star to sign a new deal in the space of a week, after teenage striker Chris Wood penned a deal of the same length.

The pair celebrated their contracts with both on target on Saturday’s 2-0 FA Cup third round win at Huddersfield.


  1. 1
    Robert Whittington

    Fantastic news.

    Report abuse

  2. 2
    Nedball

    This is the best bit of business any club will do in the entire transfer window!!

    Well deserved Dozza.

    Report abuse

  3. 3
    Baggieno1

    well done J.P

    Report abuse

  4. 4
    Nottm Baggie

    That’s great news for all concerned. Maybe the ‘scout’ who found him deserves a bonus for finding that little Gem. Can all the players do me a big favour & beat Forest on Friday!! I’m sick & tired of all the Forest fans telling me how they were robbed earlier in the Season & how they are going to ‘Batter’ us this week. 16 games unbeaten….there’s talk of the ‘Clough’ era again…HELP!!!!!

    Report abuse

  5. 5
    BaggieBoy

    Its good that he is now being paid more money but the contract length is exactly the same as it were anyway?! He signed a deal in August did he not? The only advantage we as a club now have is that he may stay until the end of the season as he is getting more money.Just another 7-8 players of his quality to have a chance of staying in the prem.

    Report abuse

  6. 6
    Wbaforever

    Nottm Baggie

    You cannot knock what Forest have done, they are THE surprise package, and Billy Davies appears to have a knack of doing well in the championship.

    What i will say though, is they were the benefactors of the worst refereeing decision since the Pedro Mendes “goal” for Spurs against Man Utd where the ball was closer to the pie seller than the goal line.And quite how the officials missed that hand ball versus Watford is bizzare.
    Every team gets lucky throughout a season, but with that one incident, they must have used a years worth.

    Report abuse

  7. 7
    Wbaforever

    5

    You never give in do you ?
    For your own sake, seek professional help.

    Report abuse

  8. 8
    baggieconvert

    What a start to the week, well done all those involved in getting this great little player to commit to Albion. All it needs now to complete a perfect start to the year and week, is to take three points on Friday………..come on you baggie boys were all behind you. Boing Boing :-)

    Report abuse

  9. 9
    ALFRED MILLER

    On behalf of the WBA supporters club in Malta we would like to wish everyone of you Albion supporters a happy new year. And may all your wishes come true. If there is anyone who is interested to become a member of the club please do not hesitate to e-mail me on alfredmiller71@yahoo.com for further information. You are more than welcome and we’re getting bigger by the day.

    Report abuse

  10. 10
    Nottm Baggie

    Wbaforever

    You’re right about Davies, however I think in the Summer they were the second highest spenders & apparently another £13M has been made available by their adventurous Chairman for this window!!!

    Report abuse

  11. 11
    AMS

    Delighted. Possibily the best business we could hope to do in this particular window.
    I told you a few weeks ago Warnock would laugh at 1.5 mil for Moses – now his agent is quoting 5. Which brings me onto the lucky teams – how about the Bristol City Palace Game this season down at the Gate. I thought Neil Warnock was going to explode he was so angry. The ball didn’t just cross the line but came out of the back of the net and back onto the pitch and somehow they gave a goal kick – that was more than lucky.
    Also Forest fans talking of the clough era have no sense of reality – it really is unlikely that achievement will ever be repeated by any team going up from the championship. And they need to remember the great Derby team of Billy Davies and then Paul Jewell – 11 points – Pompey have already got that.
    Bring on Friday – lets give those Tricky Trees from the Trent a red hot welcome and end their unbeaten runs. We have to believe we are capable of doing them over.C’mon you Baggies.

    Report abuse

  12. 12
    RichardBaggiee

    Well great news for us as he has a lot to offer our cause for promotion. But if anyone deserves a new contract its J Thomas he has been our best player by far this season.

    On a different note: We have no funds to buy new players I for one would like to no how come we can’t use the money we get from Greening/Robinson/Valero. Should be around 10.5M. Put a bid in for Moses 5M Premiership clubs might not gamble as he is not proven in the Prem. Just like Ellington/Earnshaw.

    Report abuse

  13. 13
    Cyril Randle

    Billy Davies is a very good manager, but to liken him to Brian Clough this early is akin to saying Leeds are now the greatest team in Britain. Derby were grossly unfair to him as shown by Jewell not being any better. He took a team of ragged-arsed Rovers into the Prem with discipline and method but no class. Forest will benefit from that, but I doubt he’ll find it easy if he gets them up there this time too. It will be a war of attrition on Friday. I doubt it will win Sky many friends. Please Lord, an early goal for the Baggies.

    Report abuse

  14. 14
    Wbaforever

    I have just read a report (admittedly in the Sun…err newspaper) that there are a clutch of clubs interested in signing the £5 million rated Dorrans, and they include Villa, Man City, Blackburn, Everton, Bolton and Wolves.

    My question is Who rated him at £5 million ?
    It has to be his potential suitors who think the January sales have come to the Hawthorns,and JP is still suffering the effects of a copious amount of new year Verve Cliquot.

    There is certainly no chance that anyone at the club have rated him so cheaply.

    I liken him (Dorrans) to Gareth Barry, but with more pace and……well better, i know that is a bold statement at present, seeing as Barry has always plied his trade in the top flight, but i honestly believe that Dorrans will emerge as one of the worlds top players.

    Report abuse

  15. 15
    1954 baggie

    Despite what a lot of fans think J P is a smart
    operater and we remain solvent Im unsure who gets
    the credit for unearthing the likes of Dorrans &
    Mulumbu & Jara the engine room of our team Another
    snip was Olssen who reminds me of John Wile.
    Tough games ahead but have no fear were awash with
    talented footballers and with Miller n Morrison
    RDM has some headache in selecting his team.
    Finally did fans catch Borgas display last night
    star man !!!!

    Report abuse

  16. 16
    baggie birder

    Great news but i agree with 12 lets get Thomas signed up a class above the rest glad he chose us instead of dingles isnt that right nos 5 ?

    Report abuse

  17. 17
    Himleywolf

    A lot of money for an average fizzy player me thinks……

    Report abuse

  18. 18
    baggiebloke

    Absolutely splendid news that Dozza has extended his deal, but no surprise really…why would he want to be anywhere else?

    Happy new year and UP THE BAGGIES!

    Report abuse

  19. 19
    wba4ever

    This is great news and fantastic business by the club. In my opinion Dorrans is the best midfielder in the country outside the Premiership and is arguably better than many already in the Prem.

    12. Richard Baggie, you really are a plank. I’m glad you’re not in charge of my finances.

    Report abuse

  20. 20
    shifnal02

    great news by ALBION,if victor moses is worth £5-MILLION ,WHATS DORRANS WORTH SCORING ALL IS GOAL FROM MIDFIELD EASY £6-7MILION ON JOKE,ROLL A FRIDAY NIGTH,TO ALL ALBION FANS HAPPY NEW-YEAR.

    Report abuse

  21. 21
    stevo

    1954 baggie i did indeed how good did he look? a magical display from him he looked happy to and seemed to be enjoying his football, those who called him a waste of money etc didnt seem to understand what we had on our hands, last night he played much further up the field just behind the front two and he looked awesome. I cant help wondering how good he may have been playing in front of the mighty gonzalo jara or even mulumbu!

    Report abuse

  22. 22
    WakeyBaggie

    a few weeks ago I wopuld have sold dorrans as he was in grave danger of turning into greenings slightly more negative love child. every pass seemed to be sideways or backwards. Over the past few games he has rediscovered his ability to play forward passes and drive at teams from midfield. When he does that he is some player.

    Report abuse

  23. 23
    Cyril Randle

    22. I would suggest that Dorrans was filling a different role in those games. He is showing all the signs of being special but it is important that the rest of the team balance suits his role. Jara and Mulumbu in defence meant he could roam more, knowing the back end wouldn’t fall off if he went forward. When the great Ray Barlow started, he was an inside forward. The class was there, he scored some great goals. Then, I think it was Jack Smith, moved him to wing-half, (midfield) and he became a legend. There was no finer wing half in England, anywhere, and had he moved to say Arsenal, he would have been the first name on the England team sheet. The Old Boys Club was very strong then. He stayed with us and never got what he deserved, many England caps. Dorrans has shown a strong appreciation of his club and his learning curve is risng rapidly. Better with us in the first team than on the bench at Chelsea.
    15. Jonas is a fine centre half as you say and will cope well if we get up. It all matters to him, you can see that and I love that in a player.

    Report abuse

  24. 24
    RichardBaggiee

    19. wba4ever. I stand by my Comment. No not a plank. I just want to see my team in the Prem.

    If we brought Moses in for 5M you would you be happy? Come on be honest.

    Report abuse

  25. 25
    Sheepinwulfsclothing

    17. Himleywulf. You would know all about average fizzy pop players seing as you have a team full of ‘em.

    Report abuse

  26. 26
    The Real Bully Hoo.

    24 Richard.
    I think the truth lies somewhere between you and wba4ever. No you’re not a plank but you seem to have had a look in this ‘Janet and John book of Football accountancy’ that is going the rounds, whereby club A sells player B to club C. Club A then has X amount of money to spend on player D. Nice and simple, also very easy to follow if you ignore wages, signing on fees, keeping the club solvent, not to mention whether a player is actually willing to sign for your club.
    Has it still not registered that because of Jeremy Peace we are even able to dream of competing for players like Moses? That because of the good work of Jeremy Peace and RDM we are able to persuade great young prospects like Mulumbu, Dorrans, Wood etc, to sign extended contracts? That Leeds are coming back after years in the wilderness because they now have a Chairman that runs the club properly? Has it registered that our Academy players are now attracting envious looks?
    The new training and academy facilities weren’t a present from Father Christmas, they came as a result of excellent financial management. This has also given us our repeated promotions. More importantly it may have laid the foundations for the next thirty years in the PL. One thing could ruin all this. Trying to walk before you can run. Ask Leeds etc. JP is the main reason we are in this enviable position, will some of you ever give him a bit of credit instead of making suggestions as if he is some sort of backward child and you’ve thought of something that hadn’t occured to him?

    22 Cyril.
    Great post and not often I disagree with you but… What do you mean ‘The old boys network was very strong THEN.’ Has anything changed that much. Remember Bryan Robson couldn’t get a look in until he left us for Man Ure and Villa players have always struggled for recognition. Being serious, I think at last we may have an England Manager that doesn’t kowtow to the ‘no nothings’ of the tabloid press (and long may you continue Mr Capello.) In my opinion The Sun newspaper has been the single largest factor in England failing as a football power for the last twenty five years.

    If I was the Burnley Chairman I’d be on the phone to Gary Megson at this very moment. Not only would I want him next to me in the trenches, wouldn’t he just love to stick it to Bolton.

    Report abuse

  27. 27
    The REAL Baggie Boy

    17 Himley… Whats a lot of money 2 Million over 3 to 4 years. where you been ?????? I agree in the real world thats an awful lot of money but in the fantasy land of footballers that is not alot of money for someone that will go on to big things and possibly play for one of the so called big 4 in the future!!.

    I am not naive enough to think even if we make the prem that we are capable of holding on to our big stars we will never be able to compete with the real big boys in the wages department, but whilst he contracted to our club he is a major bonus to our club..

    JP is a very clever man now he has signed a 4 year deal his price to prize him away from us has gone up dramaticly

    Report abuse

  28. 28
    The Real Bully Hoo.

    Good move to let Reuben Reid go on loan to P’boro. Good young manager who will hopefully add to his game while allowing him first team football.

    Report abuse

  29. 29
    wba4ever

    26. TRBH, thank you, I just didn’t have the patience to articulate it as well as you did in your post because it’s already been said on these boards a hundred times and yet there are still ‘planks’ that don’t seem to be able to add two plus two.

    Thanks again for saving me the effort.

    Report abuse

  30. 30
    1954 baggie

    We have a number of players away on loan with money so tight will they be returning ? Greenings
    figuring prominently dont see Robinson in Boltons
    side much cant see Coventry having the dosh for
    Barnett and Mallorca have no money for Borga ?
    hes looking the part for them a number of fans
    were nervous for him to return but hes said to
    be looking forward to another go in the PL.
    Lets hope the weather improves for friday ??

    Report abuse

  31. 31
    Cyril Randle

    26RBH. I would love to have written the first half of your post. You will have to trust me on this one, it really was worse by miles for some players to get picked for England. We had a manager who had never kicked a ball in earnest in Walter Winterbottom. A gentleman, yes, but a Clough, never. The FA were incredibly stodgy, making the present tripe look enlightened. How else does one explain Clough not getting the job and that was years later than I am talking. Dickenson of Portsmouth was first name on Winterbum’s team sheet, a good player, a consistent player, but not ever in Ray Barlow’s class. Ask even the old Wulfies. They admired him as much as we did Billy Wright. I can add no more than that. Then probably the finest forward with a brain to match was Ronnie Allen, scorer of many goals. Two caps was it? Disgraceful. But we tended to be more accepting then and with no outlet to voice our discontent. The Armed Forces taught us all to accept commands without dissent so we were better behaved too. It wasn’t the Bankers that stuffed us. It was the old school tie.

    Report abuse

  32. 32
    RichardBaggiee

    wba4ever. I don’t see your problem. First never said a bad thing about JP. Second why must you slate you own fellow supporters for having there own opinion. On a whole not a nice man/arragant child. Anyway moving on lets hope for 3 points friday.

    26TRBH. Well said, I have never said a bad word about JP. But thank for your essay A+.

    Report abuse

  33. 33
    wba4ever

    32. Richard, I’m all for people having an opinion, but an opinion is a conclusion or belief that is usually backed up with some well thought out facts and will stimulate debate.

    Your opinion is anything but well thought out and is certainly not substantiated with facts.
    As such, it’s simply a statement that is ridiculous.

    You may also want to try using spell check before posting comments.

    Report abuse

  34. 34
    The Real Bully Hoo.

    32 Richard.
    Sorry. Re-reading your original post I realise that it’s not as critical as I first thought. Perhaps it’s me that’s the plank in all of this. Happy New Year.

    Report abuse

  35. 35
    RichardBaggiee

    wba4ever/The Real Bully Hoo.

    Sorry about my spelling but im still young and still at school.

    Happy New Year! To you both. wba4ever your still a Baggie fan so you’re not that bad.

    Boing Boing

    Report abuse

  36. 36
    wba4ever

    Richard, happy new year to you too. I apologise if I was a little over the top with my comments. You’re absolutely right, we’re all Albion fans and in this together.

    Four points from our next two games will be a nice start to 2010.

    Up the Baggies.

    Report abuse



Free e-Supplements

Business Awards

Read the full story here Read the full story here

Full coverage of awards celebrating the region's best businesses.

Lifestyle

Interactive Dining Out map Interactive Dining Out map

Hundreds of reviews by the Express & Star and Shropshire Star's teams to help you decide where to eat.

LIVE traffic updates

Road, rail and airport - latest Road, rail and airport - latest

Our new, live traffic and travel updates service - check before you set out.

OUR NEW APP

Get the new E&S app Get the new E&S app

Download the Express & Star’s new app to your iPad or iPhone to get one week of access to our digital newspapers absolutely FREE.