ALBION have exercised their option to sign Gabriel Tamas from Auxerre.

The Romania international will be registered officially as a Baggies player on a permanent basis on July 1.

He joined the club on loan in January and, after making his debut against Nottingham Forest, was a Coca-Cola Championship ever-present.

The centre-half made 25 appearances, including one as a substitute, and scored in 1-1 draws at Reading and Crystal Palace.

His outstanding displays at the heart of defence were key to Albion's surge towards clinching the second automatic promotion place.