Club News

Rosenberg seals Albion move

Baggies see off competition from clubs across Europe and in China to sign striker

 

ALBION have won the race to sign Sweden international Markus Rosenberg.


The 29-year-old striker, who boasts an impressive goalscoring record in Germany, Spain and Holland, has penned a three-year deal after passing a Hawthorns medical. He will wear the No.8 shirt.


The deal for Rosenberg, who was out of contract after leaving Werder Bremen in May, remains subject to international clearance.


The former Ajax forward again hit double figures in the Bundesliga last season and was being tracked by clubs across Europe and in China.


Rosenberg, who has also found the net in the Champions League, UEFA Cup and Europa League, becomes Albion’s fourth summer signing, following Ben Foster, Yassine El Ghannasy and Claudio Yacob through the door.


Head coach Steve Clarke said: “I’m delighted to welcome Markus to the club.


“He is an experienced striker who has scored goals in three of Europe’s top leagues, as well as in the top European competitions, and is determined to prove himself in the Barclays Premier League.


“Markus will really increase competition for places in the forward areas and hopefully spur on the strikers we already have here.


“He had several other offers this summer but he made it clear that joining West Bromwich Albion was his first choice and we’re really pleased we’ve been able to conclude a deal.”


Rosenberg, who won't be considered for tonight's friendly at Walsall (ko 7.45pm), joined new Hawthorns team-mate and friend Jonas Olsson in Sweden’s Euro 2012 squad, playing against Ukraine and England during this summer’s tournament.


Sporting & technical director, Dan Ashworth, added: “We’ve been keeping tabs on Markus for two or three years now and getting a player of his calibre is a real coup for this club.


“He had offers from Spain, Germany, Turkey, Russia and China and we’re delighted he has chosen this club as the next step in his career.


“Markus is quick, has a great work ethic and can play in a couple of different positions.


“He’s scored goals wherever he’s played and gives us a different option to what we’ve already got.”


Rosenberg started his career at hometown club Malmo, where he progressed through the youth ranks.


In 2004, he enjoyed a remarkable season-long loan move to Halmstads, where he smashed 14 goals in 26 starts to help them finish second in the Allsenskan table – just two points behind his parent club.


The following campaign, the 6ft 1in ace notched four times in 12 league starts for Malmo to seal a move to Dutch giants Ajax.


Rosenberg made a huge impact in his first Eredivisie season, scoring 12 goals, to earn a place in Sweden’s 2006 World Cup squad.


The arrival of Klaas-Jan Huntelaar at Ajax saw Rosenberg go out on loan to Werder Bremen during 2007/08, where he impressed enough to seal a permanent move to the German outfit the following summer.


In his first full Bundesliga campaign, he finished as the club’s top scorer with an impressive 14 goals in 21 starts and nine substitute appearances.


Rosenberg was part of the Werder Bremen side that won the DFB-Pokal Cup and reached the UEFA Cup Final against Shakhtar Donetsk in 2009, having also scored the winner in a 2-1 Champions League victory over Inter Milan earlier that term.


After recovering from a knee injury, Rosenberg made a temporary move to Spain in 2010/11, spending a season on loan at Racing Santander, where he netted nine La Liga goals in 29 starts before returning to Germany.


In total, the Linhamm-born hitman has scored 83 goals in 186 league starts. He has also scored six goals in 30 appearances for his country, after netting three times in five games at under-21 level.