West Brom choose to release Koren

[ElliottNFFC]

West Brom have released midfielder Robert Koren after choosing not to take up an option to extend his contract by 12 months.

The 29-year-old, who is set to captain Slovenia at the World Cup, joined Albion from Norwegian club Lillestrom on a free transfer in January 2007.

He scored 22 goals in 149 appearances for the Baggies, helping them win promotion to the Premier League twice.

Albion said their depth in midfield was partly behind the decision.

Their options already include player-of-the-year Graham Dorrans, Youssouf Mulumbu, Chris Brunt, James Morrison, Jerome Thomas, Giles Barnes and Gonzalo Jara, while Borja Valero could return to The Hawthorns following his season-long loan at Real Mallorca.

Sporting and technical director Dan Ashworth told the club website: "Robert has been a great servant to the club and we would like to thank him for all his efforts.

"He scored some important goals for us and has been very professional in everything he has done.

"However, on our return to the Premier League we have to try and get the balance of the squad right and we feel we are best served concentrating our available resources into other areas of the squad.

"We also have to be aware of the new Premier League rules regarding the number of home-grown players that must be included in the squad."

Manager Roberto Di Matteo added: "I would like to thank Robert for his contribution and professionalism and wish him well for the World Cup and the future."

Pretty awesome player IMO and one we should sign!

Similar Threads:

• West Brom
• Well done West Brom
• West Brom Away
• West Brom away on Sky
• West Brom

[LTLF Sponsors]

[Jonathan]

He would be a good signing depending on wages. Scores a few goals and is a decent passer of the ball but he's not that much better than what we already have.

[cole]

Free transfer, i would definitely snap him up has an eye for goal and would add some much needed depth to our squad

[Loughborough_red]

Wouldn't surpise me if he went to play in europe as at 29 you'd think he'd be after big wages.

[uNco]

Be great buy, 1 year contract.

We won`t be sigining anyone till billy lets his loyalties known.

[FBS]

Very surprised they have released him. He ran the midfield for them

[sam.oc235]

id sign him asap

[gladiator]

Love to sign him but i fear opportunities like this will pass us by because of the rumblings going off at the moment regards Billy Davies

[Eamonn]

Does Marek Cech still play for them?

[andover red]

On the 606 forums fans of just about every club in the CCC are saying exactly the same so there's clearly going to be a lot of interest in him. Lots of West Brom fans would like to see him kept on for their season in the Prem, which says a lot about how good he is. And Sky are linking him with Stoke this morning, so there's a fair chance he'll end up in the Prem anyway.

He would be a good signing depending on wages. Scores a few goals and is a decent passer of the ball but he's not that much better than what we already have.

Blooming hell Jon - you DID watch the play off games didn't you? Blackpool ran all over our midfield. I thought we were really strong there but now I'm no so sure how good our midfield really is.

[Jonathan]

They did yes - because Paul McKenna was completely unfit. Koren and Raddy, in my opinion anyway, are pretty similar players. Obviously Koren's more experienced but they play a similar role.

That's all I meant.

I'd still love to sign him, as I also said.

[DaveRedDog]

this guy might be worth a punt, but I think there will be a lot of interest in him and I'm suprised that West Brum let him go. They might be planning a raid on the Championship for a replacement.

[andover red]

They might be planning a raid on the Championship for a replacement.

No they've stated that they are strong in midfield and wanted to free up some funds to strengthen in other areas where they are weaker.

[Tutts]

Big fan of Koren's and I was very surprised he was starting to be benched. I'd have him here in a heatbeat as long as he wanted to be here.

[large stella please]

Any chance to sign him?

[wideloads]

Doubt he will be short of suiters. If we sign our No.1 target Pratley do we really need another CM?

Nice goal he scored today btw

[large stella please]

Pratley for 2m or Koren for free? what would you go for?

[winnits]

Depends on wages. Either would be welcome.

[ldsmd]

Is Koren a LM?

[adam09]

Koren looks slightly more agile, and he's foreign so obviously has superior technique! So I'd go for him.

[Jonathan]

Koren's a good player and I've always rated him but I'd imagine he might go to Europe now and play in Germany or something like that.

[ldsmd]

Koren's a good player and I've always rated him but I'd imagine he might go to Europe now and play in Germany or something like that.

A good WC, maybe even just an excellent performance against England, will make this a neigh on certainty.