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Official: Former Wigan Athletic midfielder Paul Scharner signs two-year contract with West Bromwich Albion
Austria international becomes ninth signing of summer...
30 Aug 2010 18:23:00
By Matt Monaghan
West Bromwich Albion have completed the signing of former Wigan Athletic utility man Paul Scharner on a two-year contract.
Scharner, 30, had been a free agent since refusing to sign a new deal at the DW Stadium. The Austria international - who is comfortable at centre-back and centre midfield - has now put pen-to-paper to become the promoted side's ninth signing of the summer.
Speaking to the Baggies' official website, manager Roberto Di Matteo hailed the capture of the versatile player.
He said: "I'm delighted to welcome Paul to the club.
"He is exactly the type of player we've been looking to bring in because he is a proven Premier League player, having performed consistently well in the top flight for the past four-and-a-half years.
"Paul is a powerful, competitive player who is good on the ball, excellent in both boxes, can play in numerous positions and also chips in with goals.
"He is obviously short of match practice at the moment but when he's fully up to speed I'm sure his experience will prove invaluable as we strive to establish this club in the Premier League."
Sporting and technical director Dan Ashworth added: "Paul has been on our radar ever since we knew he would be leaving Wigan and it is great news for the club that he has agreed to join us.
"At the start of the window, we looked in-depth at several players who were becoming free agents and had considerable experience in top-flight football either in England or abroad.
"I think we've had some real success in this area with the arrivals of Paul, Steven Reid and Pablo Ibanez.
"With the other players we've brought in for transfer fees, we now have a nice blend of youth and experience within the squad and plenty of competition for places."
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Scharner, 30, had been a free agent since refusing to sign a new deal at the DW Stadium. The Austria international - who is comfortable at centre-back and centre midfield - has now put pen-to-paper to become the promoted side's ninth signing of the summer.
Speaking to the Baggies' official website, manager Roberto Di Matteo hailed the capture of the versatile player.
He said: "I'm delighted to welcome Paul to the club.
"He is exactly the type of player we've been looking to bring in because he is a proven Premier League player, having performed consistently well in the top flight for the past four-and-a-half years.
"Paul is a powerful, competitive player who is good on the ball, excellent in both boxes, can play in numerous positions and also chips in with goals.
"He is obviously short of match practice at the moment but when he's fully up to speed I'm sure his experience will prove invaluable as we strive to establish this club in the Premier League."
Sporting and technical director Dan Ashworth added: "Paul has been on our radar ever since we knew he would be leaving Wigan and it is great news for the club that he has agreed to join us.
"At the start of the window, we looked in-depth at several players who were becoming free agents and had considerable experience in top-flight football either in England or abroad.
"I think we've had some real success in this area with the arrivals of Paul, Steven Reid and Pablo Ibanez.
"With the other players we've brought in for transfer fees, we now have a nice blend of youth and experience within the squad and plenty of competition for places."
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