Wednesday 16 August 2017 07:54, UK
Gareth Barry has completed his move from Everton to West Brom on an initial one-year deal for an undisclosed fee.
The 36-year-old former England midfielder, who had one year remaining on his contract at Goodison, missed Everton's opening Premier League match of the new season against Stoke because of an ankle problem.
"I want to come and help the team. That's always been the same for me wherever I have played," Barry said. "I want to help the team improve, work hard and hopefully add quality."
West Brom boss Tony Pulis says the experienced former Aston Villa and Manchester City midfielder will be the ideal replacement for former captain Darren Fletcher, who joined Stoke earlier in the summer.
"There was a big void when we lost 'Fletch' and Gareth will fill that void," said Pulis. "He really wants to play and I'm really looking forward to working with him."
"He's a fantastic player and I think his attitude towards playing is really gauged by the fact that Everton had offered him a two-year contract to stay there.
Barry becomes the fourth new signing at West Brom this summer after the acquisitions of Jay Rodriguez, Zhang Yuning and Ahmed Hegazi.
Pulis said in the build-up to his side's opening game of the season against Bournemouth that he wanted four or five more additions before the transfer window closed at the end of the month.
The 36-year-old made 628 Premier League appearances and scored 52 goals - two of which came in league appearances for Everton - and needs to play just five more matches to overtake former Manchester United winger Ryan Giggs as the competition's all-time record appearance holder.
