Club News

Morrison pens new Albion contract

Morrison has made 278 appearances in nine years at Albion

LONG-SERVING Albion midfielder James Morrison has put pen to paper on a new contract at The Hawthorns.

The Scotland international, who joined the Baggies in August 2007, has signed a two-year deal which includes a further one-year option in the club's favour.

Morrison's contract had been set to expire on July 1 but will now run until at least the summer of 2018.

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Securing the 30-year-old's future, amid interest from rival teams, represents an important step as the club continue preparations for a seventh successive Premier League campaign in 2016/17.

The fans' favourite spent a frustrating spell on the sidelines over the second half of last season having sustained a ruptured hamstring in the 2-2 draw against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in mid-January.

And it was the premature end to the season which had a major bearing on his thinking as he weighed up his options.

"I was aware of the speculation and some of the stories were true," said Morrison.

"I had a good sit down and think about it - did I need a new challenge? What more could I do with the Club?

"I spoke with my family, the Chairman, Richard Garlick and they told me their vision about where we go from here and I also thought about the end of last season. I didn't like the way I went out - walking around the pitch and then out the door. 

"I had worked too hard for it to finish like that. Now I hope that we can push the club on again because we all have to accept that since finishing eighth we haven't done as well as we wanted to." 

Head Coach Tony Pulis said: "It was inevitable that James would consider his options at the end of his contract but we're delighted that he has decided to sign back up with Albion. 

"He will be keen to prove his worth this season and we are sure he has a big contribution to make."

Morrison arrived from Middlesbrough and enjoyed a memorable maiden year, clinching the 2007/08 Championship title and reaching an FA Cup semi-final at Wembley.

Relegation followed in the subsequent season before Morrison helped Albion once again seal promotion from the second tier back among England's elite.

He has since been an ever-present and consistent figure in the club's six successive Premier League campaigns and will now bid to become the newest member of the '300 club' after Chris Brunt reached the landmark last term.

Morrison has so far made 278 career appearances for Albion, scoring 33 goals.