MARTIN Albrechtsen has declined a new contract with Albion and has decided to join Derby.

The 28-year-old defender signed for the Baggies from FC Copenhagen in June 2004 and made 138 appearances, including 20 as a substitute, scoring four times.

Boss Tony Mowbray said: "The era of Bosman means the incentives offered by clubs to out-of-contract players are often decisive in whether a player stays or leaves.

"I'd like to thank Martin for his contribution last season and wish him all the best in his new challenge.

"We will continue to push forward in our bid to find new faces to strengthen the squad for the season ahead."

Albrechtsen struggled to hold down a place at centre-half and left-back during his first few months as an Albion player.

But he was surprisingly slotted in at right-back by then-manager Bryan Robson and went on to play a vital part in the Baggies' 'Great Escape' of 2004/05.

During 2005/06, he faced stiff competition for his position from new recruit Steve Watson but still went on to make 35 appearances, coming off the bench to score his first Albion goal in a 1-0 win at Wigan in January 2006.

It was more of the same for Albrechtsen during 2006/07.

He featured regularly during the first half of the season but had to play second fiddle from the turn of the year to Paul McShane.

The pacey defender reverted back to centre-half last term and made 41 appearances, including four as a sub, as he helped the Baggies win the Coca-Cola Championship title and reach the FA Cup semi-finals. 

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