Express & Star

Jonas Olsson insists he's committed to West Brom

Key defender Jonas Olsson today insisted he is committed to West Brom as he attempted to silence rumours about his future.

Published

The Sweden international played down the significance of a summer escape clause in his contract and claimed claimed he is "very happy" at the Hawthorns.

Olsson signed a new four-year deal in September but a failed January bid from Queens Park Rangers forced boss Steve Clarke to reveal a get-out in the centre-back's contract would allow six clubs to trigger a summer release, should they pay a set fee.

Speaking for the first time since the clause was made public, the 29-year-old said: "I don't like to speak about what is in my contract. It's confidential.

"But I made it clear that I am happy here when I signed for four years in September.

"I think that says it all.

"As I've said before, as a player you set goals with a team and as an individual and you always want to push higher in your career.

"I am no different to anyone else. I have dreams and ambitions to achieve, but I am very happy at the club and happy with what we have achieved this year and hopefully will achieve towards the end of the season."

The six clubs specified in Olsson's deal are all believed to be major names in European football.

Meanwhile, the former NEC Nijmegen stopper has backed the Baggies' efforts to tie central defensive partner Gareth McAuley down to a new contract, with talks already underway with the 33-year-old's representatives.

"It is vital to keep Gaz," said Olsson. "We have formed a good partnership over the last couple of seasons.

"When I signed my contract in September, one of the big reasons was that I enjoy playing with Gaz so much. For me,it is vital that we keep him. Continuity has been important here.

"From when I came here five years ago, James Morrison, Graham Dorrans and Chris Brunt is here and Steven Reid has been here for a while, so has Youssouf Mulumbu.

"Being able to keep good players, has been important. We haven't lost many players we didn't want to lose.

"That has been key and it still is key, and we need to tie up players like Gaz on longer-term contracts."

Sorry, we are not accepting comments on this article.