TOM ROGIC ended his football exile today by signing a one-year deal with English Championship outfit West Brom.
The Australian international playmaker, 29, returned to the game almost FOUR months to the day he kicked his last ball for Celtic in the 6-0 win over Motherwell on May 14.
Rogic, along with Nir Bitton, bade an emotional farewell to a packed and rocking Parkhead over nine years after arriving from Central Coast Mariners.
SILVERWARE FAREWELL…Tom Rogic holds the Premiership trophy, his 16th honour at Celtic, after his final game for the Hoops at Parkhead on May 14.
The former fans’ favourite, who won 16 honours with the Hoops, said: “I heard about the club’s interest in me about a week ago and things moved pretty quickly.
“I spoke with the manager, Steve Bruce, and I spoke with my agent and here we are. It was a pretty broad chat with the manager. He seems like a really good guy and we had some really good discussions.
“He told me lots about the club, the team and what football is like here.
“Since I heard about Albion’s interest in me, I’ve tried to watch as much of them as possible and I’ve been doing my research. I think it’s fair to say the team hasn’t got the results the performances have warranted.
“I know that the manager and the boys are looking to change that as quickly as possible.”
NEW CHALLENGE FOR HOOPS’ OLD BHOY…Tom Rogic holds the West Brom shirt at the club’s training HQ.
Rogic, speaking to the club website, continued: “I’d been set in one place for quite a while and I was looking for a new challenge and a change of scenery and I certainly have that here, so I’m really looking forward to getting started.
“I have a lot of fond memories from my time at Celtic and I was fortunate to have the perfect send-off there.
“I didn’t just want to rush into anything. I think it was important for me to take my time and make sure my next club was the right club.
“I had some time to reflect and I now feel refreshed and re-energised and excited about the future.”
Rogic, who also agreed a 12-month option with the Hawthorns outfit, added: “I consider myself more of an attacking midfielder. I like to contribute in terms of creating chances and scoring goals.
“I want to be able to do those things here now at West Bromwich Albion.
“From my experience, there are a lot of things needed to be a successful team at any level.
“I’ve met all of my new team-mates and they seem like a great group of guys. That was refreshing again and I’m excited to be a part of the group.
GETTING SHIRTY…Tom Rogic gets the feel of his new top after over nine years in the Celtic hoops.
“Success comes as a group and as a unit. It needs the manager, the coaching staff, the background staff and the players all contributing to the same goal. I hope we can all do that this season.
“I’ve had a bit of experience in some big games which has been great for me throughout my career.
“The most exciting thing for me now, though, is the future and playing my part in what I hope will be a really successful team.”
The club are 16th in the Championship, with just one win in eight games.
They are due to play a home league match against Birmingham City in the Midlands derby on Wednesday. It’s unclear if Rogic, well short of match fitness, will get a place in Bruce’s squad.
Rogic’s move will also be welcomed by Aussie international boss Graham Arnold who had expressed concerns at the player’s reluctance to return to football with the World Cup Finals due in Qatar in November.
