Jonas Olsson admits this could be his last season with West Brom

The long-serving Swede joined in the summer of 2008 from Dutch side NEC for an initial fee of £800,000 and has since gone on to make more than 250 appearances for Albion at the heart of the defence.

He made 32 appearances last season and in April, signed a one-year contract extension that kept him at the club until next summer.

But the 33-year-old doesn't expect to be staying at The Hawthorns beyond that.

"The end is inevitably closer," he told Swedish media. "There is a big chance that this is my last year in England.

"I've got better at enjoying the moment and realising how privileged I am to have been playing in the best league for nine years. It is a rare luxury."

According to data gathered by Albion's sports science team, Olsson's physical fitness has improved this season. His endurance is better, he's faster, and his power is up two per cent.

But the long-haired defender has struggled to break into the first team, where Jonny Evans and Gareth McAuley have struck up an impressive partnership.

"The competition we have now is the toughest I have experienced in my years at the club," he admitted.

Olsson played every minute of the first three games of the season, including all 120 against Northampton Town in the League Cup, but since then, he's only featured twice. However, there's no suggestion he will be moving away in January.

A fantastic servant to the Baggies, Olsson has helped the club cement its position in the top tier over the past seven seasons.

He's not ruling out the possibility of staying at The Hawthorns for longer, because he thought his time may have been up last season too.

"The situation was similar to last year," he explained. "I was off the team for a while in the autumn and then suddenly I came in and got to play a lot around Christmas and New Year.

"Then it was natural to extend. It can be quick jerk and that's why I do not want to close any doors."

However, if his Baggies career did come to an end next summer, it would not necessarily be the end of his footballing career.

Although Olsson admits he might not be able to play '50 games a year' anymore, he's still got the hunger and the desire, and he's earmarked one particular country that prides itself on defence.

"I've always had a weakness for Italian football," he said. "I'd love to take a year there but maybe I can pick and choose, I do not know.

"I have not been on the market for a long time, I've never really been a free agent.

"It might be useful to get a new start in the form of a change of scenery. At the same time, I've enjoyed playing here."