Craig Dawson signs new deal at West Brom

West Brom defender Craig Dawson has signed a new three-year Hawthorns contract at the club.

It's been a good week for this man - Craig Dawson scored his first goal for the club on Sunday and has now penned fresh terms at the Hawthorns.

The 24-year-old completed a remarkable turnaround by penning the deal just months after demanding a transfer.

The Baggies have rewarded the former Rochdale man for an impressive start to the season by handing him a new contract on improved wages.

Dawson submitted a transfer request in the summer in a bid to force a move to Burnley, who had three bids rejected.

But he was convinced to stay by boss Alan Irvine and has started every Premier League game so far this season, scoring his first Baggies goal against the Clarets in Sunday's 4-0 win.

Irvine said: "Obviously, Craig was very unsettled when I first arrived in the summer but we as a club were never interested in selling him.

"We felt he had the potential to be a top centre-back and once he got his head settled and knew he wasn't going anywhere he started to put in very good performances.

"His level of consistency has kept him in the team despite our having top international centre-backs breathing down his neck.

"Getting a new contract, which he thoroughly deserves, completes a great start to the season for him and I'm really pleased for the lad."

Dawson's emergence as a regular Premier League starter has completed a steep climb from non-league Radcliffe Borough, where he was playing when he was spotted by Rochdale in 2009.

After joining the Baggies he became regular starter for England Under-21s and played for Stuart Pearce's Team GB squad at the London Olympic Games.

After loan spells back at Rochdale and at Bolton, he seemed destined to leave the Hawthorns in the summer but an impressive start to the season has seen him keep Gareth McAuley on the sidelines.

Technical director Terry Burton said: "I'm delighted for Craig and the club.

"He's a great example for players that if they have a great attitude, work hard and try to develop their game then the rewards are there for them.

"I think it's an excellent signing. I'm pleased for everybody concerned that Craig is going to be here for the foreseeable future."