Departing Olsson pays tribute to beloved Baggies

Jonas Olsson has paid tribute to the club West Bromwich Albion has become since he joined the Baggies for £800,000 in 2008.

The 34-year-old had his contract cancelled by West Brom earlier in the week and announced he would be moving back to his homeland to play for Djurgarden IF.

In an open letter to Baggies fans, published on the club’s official website, the talismanic defender admitted to being sad at leaving, but that the time was right to move on, with his contract expiring at the end of the season.

“There really are a lot of emotions involved. I’m going to miss the club – it’s been a great ride. Everyone says it goes by in the blink of an eye and it really is so true,” said the former NEC Nijmegen man.

“I can remember like yesterday my first game, and I’ve been really proud to be part of West Bromwich Albion.

Photo by Alex Morton/Getty Images

“It feels good to leave with the club doing so well. You want to leave feeling that you have been part of something good, something you will always be proud of.

“The club has come a long way from when I signed and it was still, in those days, a yo-yo club. We were relegated in that first year but came back up straightaway and we’ve grown and developed every year in every way since then.

“There’s a very different mentality there now. I felt from the start it was a warm club, a family club and I feel it has kept those qualities.

“But it is so much more professional in every way now – the facilities, the staff working there in every department – you can feel it is a big club now.”