YOUSSOUF Mulumbu gave Albion a huge pre-season boost by signing a new-and-improved contract in July 2011.

He committed his future to the Baggies until June 2015 by penning a three-year deal, plus a further year's option in the club's favour.

Mulumbu only signed a new deal as recently as January 2011 but after his outstanding form during the second half of last season, the club again rewarded the player by offering him a third contract extension in only 13 months.

The DR Congo international proved to be a revelation in his first full Barclays Premier League season, finishing as Albion's seven-goal second-top scorer and helping the Baggies secure their highest Premier League finish of 11th.

Mulumbu's dynamic displays in the middle of the park also saw him collect the two top awards at the club's End of Season Gala Dinner as he was voted Player of the Season by the players and fans.

Mulumbu further enhanced his reputation as a firm fans' favourite in April by scoring a last-gasp winner to end Albion's 26-year wait for a victory over derby rivals Villa.

It was one of four crucial goals the former Paris Saint-Germain man scored in the final ten games of the campaign, as his strikes in wins over Blues, Sunderland and Everton helped the Baggies ease away from the relegation zone.

The Baggies wrapped up a permanent £175,000 deal for the Paris Saint-Germain defensive midfielder in the summer of 2009.

He initially joined the Baggies on loan the previous January.

The DR Congo ace became a firm fans' favourite in his first full campaign.

He scored three memorable goals in wins over Ipswich, Reading and Middlesbrough and was even honoured with his own terrace chant that ends: 'He comes from Africa. He's better than Kaka!'

Mulumbu's first term at The Hawthorns was interrupted by injuries and he had to wait until April to make his Barclays Premier League debut, coming on as a sub in a 2-2 draw at Portsmouth.

But he shone in a 68-minute display on his full Albion debut the following month, albeit in a harsh 1-0 defeat at Tottenham.

Mulumbu, who was capped once by France Under-21s, had made seven senior international appearances for the Democratic Republic of Congo before arriving at The Hawthorns.

He joined PSG in 2004 and signed his first professional contract in November 2006.

Mulumbu helped PSG reach the UEFA Cup's last 16 in 2007 before they were knocked out by Benfica, losing 5-2 on aggregate.

He spent the 2007/08 season on loan at Ligue Two outfit Amiens, notching once in 23 appearances.

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(LAST UPDATED ON AUGUST 25, 2011)