Ex-Chelsea defender Ivanovic returns to Premier League with West Brom

Agence France-Presse ·
Branislav Ivanovic of FC Zenit Saint Petersburg gestures during the Russian Premier League match between FC Zenit Saint Petersburg and PFC CSKA Moscow on November 2, 2019 at Gazprom Arena in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
NurPhoto / Getty

London, Sept 15, 2020 (AFP) - West Brom on Tuesday announced the signing of former Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic, who arrives at the Hawthorns on a free transfer from Zenit St Petersburg.

The Serbia international won three Premier League titles and the Champions League during his nine-year spell at Stamford Bridge, which ended in 2017.

West Brom marked their return to the Premier League with a 3-0 defeat to Leicester on Sunday.

"The Premier League is the best league in the world," Ivanovic, 36, told the club's official website.

"I need to challenge myself and I am ready for the challenge. I am really happy to be back playing in the Premier League."

West Brom boss Slaven Bilic said: "He's a great addition for us, a team who are newly promoted in the Premier League. He ticks all the boxes for us.

"He's done everything in his career -- it's been magnificent. We're delighted. He adds quality and experience on the pitch and off the pitch."

XRedditFacebookWhatsAppEmailSMS