Branislav Ivanovic has sealed a return to the Premier League after signing a one-year contract with West Brom.
The 36-year-old left Chelsea in February 2017 and has spent the last three and a half years in Russia with Zenit St. Petersburg.
Ivanovic becomes slaven Bilic’s sixth summer signing following the arrivals of Grady Diangana, Matheus Pereira, Cedric Kipre, David Button and Callum Robinson.
He told the club’s official website: “The Premier League is the most productive league in the world. I have to challenge myself and I’m in a position for the challenge. I’m happy to play in the Premier League again. “
“I hope to succeed here. I have a lot of ambition and I need to do a lot of things. I’ll give anything for the team. “
Baggies boss Slaven Bilic added: “This is a wonderful addition to us, a team that has been promoted to the Premier League. He meets all the requirements for us.
“He’s done everything in his career, he’s been magnificent. We’re excited. Add quality and delight in and out of the field.
“So it’s not just him, it’s more the influence he’s going to have not only on the defenders, but on the whole team around him. That’s why we’ve pointed it out as one of our main goals. It’s a wonderful signing”. for us. “
The Serbian defender spent years at Chelsea between 2008 and 2017, winning 10 primary trophies by joining the 2012 Champions League.
Ivanovic, who can play from right-back or central, is a loose agent after leaving Zenit after the conclusion of the Russian Premier League on 22 July.
He brings a great deal of Premier League delight to the newly promoted Baggies, having played 261 league games during his time at Stamford Bridge.
Bilic also demonstrated on Friday that he is trying to point out to midfielder Filip Krovinovic an indefinite contract with Benfica, following the 25-year transfer at the Hawthorns last season.
“In addition to the new recruits, we’re also looking to keep last season’s players on loan, the ones we’re looking for,” Baggies said.
“We have pointed out Grady (Diangana) and Callum Robinson and we are doing everything we can to point out Krovinovic as well. This is easy to do, especially in cases of coronavirus. “
“It’s not easy to locate the players you want, but we’re looking for and hoping we can do it. “
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