Zoltan Gera has completed a sensational return to West Bromwich Albion from Fulham on a two-year deal.
The Hungarian midfielder, 32, joins the club as a free agent, with his contract at Craven Cottage having expired earlier in the summer.
Despite making over 150 appearances for the Baggies in four years at the club, Gera turned down a new contract in 2008, and joined Fulham.
Whilst with the Cottagers, he experienced European football under the guidance of now West Brom boss, Roy Hodgson.
Those looking at Bet365 free bets regularly will tell you that Gera was a regular in Hodgson’s Fulham sides, and the former Liverpool boss clearly rates him very highly.
Hodgson said on the club’s official website: “I think it is an excellent signing and he is a player I hope will do as well in the coming seasons as he has done in the past seasons with West Brom and Fulham.
“In Zoltan Gera we've acquired not only a first-class player but a first-class person and we think that's also important to the way we want the club to move forward.”
The West Brom manager believes that Gera’s arrival is one that will excite Baggies fans, and feels they will be delighted to have him back.
He added: “The last time he played at West Bromwich Albion he was a very popular figure with everyone at the club, not least of all the fans.
“I of course know him well and admired him in the two years we worked together at Fulham, where he was an integral part of the team that did well during those years.
“It is a massive coup for the club that we have been able to persuade him to come back to West Brom despite the many other offers he had, because he is a player that is widely appreciated in the Premier League and abroad.”
Gera could have joined West Brom sooner, but it was an injury that held up his move.
He admitted that the chance to return to West Brom was the reason he turned down Fulham’s contract offer.
Speaking in July, Gera said: “There was a chance of me staying at Fulham but I had already made a verbal agreement with West Bromwich Albion.
“After I spoke to Hodgson, the Fulham manager changed. They wanted me to stay but I didn't want to break my agreement (with West Brom).”
There are now plenty of bookmakers free bets being placed on Gera having a major impact as he returns to the Hawthorns for Roy Hodgson’s first full season in charge. |
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