West Brom's James Morrison signs new 4-year contract

West Bromwich Albion star James Morrison today signed a new four-year contract at The Hawthorns.

The Scotland international has put pen to paper on a lucrative new deal that ties him to the Baggies until 2016.

Morrison has been in talks with Hawthorns officials since midway through last season and the 26-year-old has now been rewarded for his impressive displays in the last year.

Head coach Steve Clarke said: "After strengthening the squad during the transfer window, it's equally important to hold onto your best players and I'm delighted James has signed a new deal.

"The new contract is fair reward for James' hard work and efforts.

"He's been here a number of years now and has always been one of the key players.

"This is a good message to send to the rest of the squad, that if you do well and keep improving you will be rewarded.

"It's also a big coup for the club because I'm sure that if James was on the market, there'd be a few clubs interested in him."

Sporting and technical director Dan Ashworth added: "I'm delighted James has committed his future to the club for the next four years.

"He's been one of our most effective players in the Premier League over the last couple of seasons and fully deserves his improved deal.

"The fact we've got a player of James' calibre to sign a longer contract is a sign that the club is moving in the right direction."

Morrison joined Albion from Middlesbrough for £1.5m in 2007 and has since made 153 appearances for the club, netting 20 goals.

He was one of the biggest success stories of Roy Hodgson's 16-month reign, establishing himself as a key figure at the heart of the Baggies midfield.

Meanwhile, Clarke confirmed contract talks with defender Jonas Olsson are ongoing. The Sweden international could leave for free next summer if he fails to agree a new deal.

"We are in negotiations," said Clarke. "The parties are talking, he respects the fact we are keeping him for the last year of his contract and we respect the fact he's in the last year of his contract.

"If we can find a solution that's what we'll do."