Source: FOOTYMAD
Dozza pens new deal
Midfield star signs until 2015 Scottish international Graham Dorrans has extended his stay at the Hawthorns until 2015 after signing an improved deal. The 23-year-old has penned a four-year deal, with a year in the club’s favour. The former Livingston man has been the subject of three failed bids from West Ham United this summer and has now committed his future with the Baggies. Dorrans, who joined Albion for just £150,000, enjoyed a fantastic season in the Championship helping Albion gain promotion at the first opportunity. His 18 goals from midfield saw him top the club’s scoring chart and be included in the PFA Championship Team of the Year. "It's great to finally get it sorted out," said Dorrans. "It's been ongoing for the last couple of weeks. It's good to be able to concentrate on football, get back into training and look forward to the season starting. "It's not been difficult. "It's always nice when teams around you are interested because it means you're doing something right. "I was always focused on coming back here and getting fit. "At the end of the day I was contracted to Albion anyway and I was concentrating on kicking off the season here. "Since I've come down from Scotland it has been great at this club. "The lads have been brilliant with me. "It's an ambitious club and I'm looking forward to kicking off the new season in the Premier League. "I tasted it a little bit the last time we were in there and I'm looking forward to a long season in there - and hopefully we can stay up." Baggies boss Roberto Di Matteo hailed the progress of Dorrans last term and is delighted to see him commit his future with the club. "I'm delighted Graham has signed a new long-term contract, which is fully deserved,” he said. "He made excellent progress last season and we're now very hopeful he can make the step up to the Premier League. "There has been a lot of media speculation about Graham's future but it hasn't affected him one bit. "Ever since he has reported back for pre-season training, his attitude has been as spot on as it always is and I know for a fact how much he's looking forward to the new season. "The exciting thing is that Graham knows he still has a lot of work to do and is yet to reach his full potential."
