Pablo Ibanez vows to make Albion fans proud

New-boy Pablo Ibanez today pledged to make Albion fans proud after revealing how playing at The of Hawthorns five years ago convinced him to join.

The Spain international is relishing his first taste of the Premier League after swapping Atletico Madrid for a three-year Baggies contract.

The 28-year-old, former Albacete man said through an interpreter :"I want to try to help the team stay in the Premier League and also make the crowd proud of us as a team.

"Every time I've visited England I've been pleasantly surprised about the crowds and the stadiums.

"I'm coming to England to play football. Over here the game is brilliant."

Pablo experienced action at The Hawthorns five years ago when Atletico lost 2-0 to Albion in a pre-season friendly.

Just 6,922 fans watched but the occasion still made an impression on Pablo, who has also been attracted by the lure of Roberto Di Matteo.

He said: "I played at The Hawthorns five years ago and thought the atmosphere was very good.It is an honour to join a club with such history and it's a challenge to play in the Premier League."