Scharner could end career at Albion

Cult hero Paul Scharner is ready to end his career with Albion after falling in love with life at the Hawthorns.

The outspoken Austrian has admitted he planned just a one-season stint in the Midlands and even had an escape clause written into his Baggies contract.

But the 31-year-old revealed Albion and their fans have changed his mind about his future and is now keen to extend his contract, which expires at the end of next season.

He said: "I have grown to love the club. I have to be honest, I thought I would be here just for this season but I have totally changed my mind. I want to stay and hopefully the club want me to stay.

"I have another year on my contract and I am happy to play here for that year. They haven't approached me yet but I would be open for talks about extending it.

"I will be absolutely honest, I thought I would move on, but the supporters and the club have changed me. I definitely want to finish my career in England.

"One fan on my Facebook page said that maybe I could finish my career at Albion and you never know.

"If we keep on working as we have in the last few weeks and, if the club is ambitious to improve, then I am absolutely open to everything."

Scharner spent four-and-a-half years at Wigan before quitting the Latics last summer and joining Albion on a free transfer.

But his contract includes a clause allowing him to leave on a free transfer this summer to one of seven named clubs.

However, Scharner is happy at the Hawthorns and finds it different to his time at the DW Stadium.

He said: "I have had a better look at the club and its traditions now and I also looked behind the scenes with the supporters.

"It is very difficult to find another club in England like this because we were one of the founder members of the Football League.

"You can see it and read about it, we have got a massive support. Looking back to the Sunderland away game it was magnificent. I never experienced that before.

"I am a player who needs lot of backing from good supporters and I am really happy that I signed for West Bromwich Albion."