New Albion signing Martin Kelly has expressed his determination to show the football world he still has so much to offer.
The experienced 32-year-old has joined the Baggies on a two-year deal following his departure from Crystal Palace at the end of the 2021/22 campaign.
Kelly has 154 Premier League appearances to his name having previously played for Liverpool as well as the Eagles – coming through the academy ranks at Anfield before spending eight years in the capital.
And the defender described the move to The Hawthorns as an “amazing opportunity” for him to make the next stage of his career a positive one.
Kelly said: “I’m really happy to be here and to come down to the training ground to be shown around the club.
“It’s an amazing opportunity for me to show the manager, my new team-mates and the club’s supporters what I can do for the team moving forward.
“The size of the club helped convince me to come here and sign. Growing up, I played plenty of games in the Premier League against West Bromwich Albion. I believe this club should be in the Premier League.
“It wasn’t a hard decision for me to make when I found out Steve Bruce wanted to sign me.
“I’ve played at The Hawthorns a good few times with England’s youth teams and also in the Premier League a number of times too.
“I’m buzzing to be getting started. It’s been really strange for me this summer being a free agent for the first time, especially off the back of a frustrating season last year when I didn’t play as much as I would’ve liked to.
“Going forward, I want to help a club reach their true potential. I feel like, at a club the size of Albion, it’s a great opportunity for me to help push the team forward with the attributes I believe I have. I think the club can help me and my game too, it works both ways.
“I’ve had a great time at Crystal Palace over the last few years, but I’m really looking forward to starting life at West Bromwich Albion.
“I had a busy summer with the family and we were always looking to head back up towards the north once my time at Palace was over. I had to think about what I wanted as a player and how I wanted the next few years to play out in my career.
“I feel like I have so much to offer still at both this level and higher.
“I had a discussion with my family and once this opportunity came around, it was one I acted on quite quickly with no hesitation.
“Getting back into a team environment and to be doing what I’ve been doing for the past 14 or 15 years is going to be amazing. I can’t wait to get my boots back on and to play competitive football once again.
“I’ve had a few weeks looking at the squad and the results and other Championship games. I think it’s a really competitive league this year. There are a lot of good teams.
“I feel like I’ve put myself in a great team and a great set-up here. I want to give all that I can offer to this team.”
