Samaras: It was an easy decision to join Albion

GEORGIOS Samaras insists it was an easy decision to join Albion – and is relishing the chance to pit his wits again in the Barclays Premier League.

The Greece international today put pen to paper on a two-year Baggies deal before joining up with his new team-mates.

And the 29-year-old striker is eager to bring success to The Hawthorns once he has caught up on his fitness.

“I feel really good,” said Samaras, who was out-of-contract at Celtic following his World Cup exploits.

“The people around the club are kind and I feel like it is a family club.

“It was an easy decision for me to come here.

“I had a really nice chat with the gaffer; he’s Scottish so we spoke our language!

“In the end I believe this is a new challenge in my career and I’m ready to take it.

“I want to help this team do well in the Premier League.

“It is the best league in the world and I’m really proud of myself to be here.

“I will try, with my team-mates, to be competitive against the best - and do our best.

“Hopefully everyone will have a good season.”

The 6ft4in forward’s first taste of England’s top flight came in his early 20s with Manchester City.

And, after six years with Celtic, and a wealth of Champions League and almost 80 caps at international level, he is eager to show how far he has come as a player.

“I’m more mature now and know football better than when I was younger,” he added.

“I had seven beautiful seasons at Celtic and I’ll keep all those good things.

“Now it’s a new start and challenge in my career – and I’m looking forward to that.

“As a professional footballer you want to get better and better and I believe I have changed from 22 to now, like anybody would in any job.”