Ben Foster joins West Bromwich Albion
Ben Foster today signed for West Bromwich Albion from Birmingham City for a fee believed to be around £3.5m.
Ben Foster today signed for West Bromwich Albion from Birmingham City for a fee believed to be around £3.5m.
The former England keeper has signed a three-year deal, plus a two-year option in the club's favour, and becomes new boss Steve Clarke's first new signing.
Foster, 29, rejoins the club on a permanent deal after starring for the Baggies on loan from Blues last season.
Head coach Clarke said: "Ben's been a priority signing all summer.
"His performances last season were exceptional and it was important for the club to strike a permanent deal for him.
"It's a great signing for me and an even better one for the club.
"I think the supporters will be delighted we've been able to keep him on board – and make him our player.
"In any league in the world you want a goalkeeper that is going to make match-winning saves, turn draws into wins and defeats into draws.
"A quality goalkeeper is worth 10 or 12 points a season to you - and that's certainly what we think we've got in Ben Foster."
Foster kept 10 clean sheets - equalling the club record for the most shut-outs in a Premier League campaign – to earn the Albion Supporters' Player of the Year and Players' Player of the Year awards.
And only a groin injury ahead of the final game of the season against Arsenal prevented him from playing all 38 league games for the second successive year.
Sporting and technical Director Dan Ashworth said: "The players, the staff and supporters will be delighted Ben has agreed to join us permanently.
"Ben showed to everyone last season how important he is to us, making vital saves at key moments in games.
"He was happy here, enjoyed the goalkeeper coaching under Dean Kiely, the facilities, the supporters, and everything about the club.
"And the fact Ben was with us on loan put us in a prime position to sign him."
Foster tweeted: "Want to say a huge thank you to all at BCFC and the fans, will always look back at my time with you with fondness.
"Really happy to have just signed for West Bromwich Albion, thx to the fans for making me feel so welcome last year, can't wait to get started.
"Thanks for all you have done for me and will always remember the carling cup final as that meant so much to me, and you. My best wishes for the future."