Manchester United defender Jonny Evans has left to join West Bromwich Albion for an undisclosed fee expected to be worth up to £8m.
The 27 year-old Northern Ireland international, who has 42 caps for his country, agreed a four year year deal with the Baggies and spoke to the official West Brom Website.
NEW SIGNING: Jonny Evans completes move to #WBA from @ManUtd for an undisclosed fee. http://t.co/hB0WkZZYC5 pic.twitter.com/U5iAZUHcsA
— West Bromwich Albion (@WBA) August 29, 2015
He said: “I hope to push the Albion up the League. It’s a new, fresh challenge for me.”
Evans was United’s second longest serving player after captain Wayne Rooney having debuted in September 2007. He made a total of 198 appearances for the club in all competitions and won three Premier League titles, two League Cups and the Club World Cup.
He will be joining several ex-United team mates at The Hawthorns. Baggies Captain Darren Fletcher is a close friend and neighbour, while Ben Foster and James Chester also had spells with the Reds.
And Chris Brunt and Gareth McAuley are international team mates with Evans.
Reds manager Louis van Gaal has been using Daley Blind as a left sided central defender this season while Marcos Rojo will be available again soon.
United also have Chris Smalling and Phil Jones, both of whom signed extended contracts recently, to compete for centre back positions.
The Reds also have Northern Ireland Paddy McNair as cover for injuries. Both McNair and fellow centre back Tyler Blackett have also signed new deals this year.
Celtic confirmed today that they have taken Blackett on loan for the season. Celtic might lose their centre back Virgil Van Dijk to Premier League club Southampton before the transfer window shuts and have moved to sign up a replacement.