OFFICIAL: Former Chelsea Star "Branislav Ivanovic" Has Joined West Brom On A One-Year Deal

Former Chelsea legend Branislav Ivanovic has sealed a return to the Premier League after spending the last three-and-a-half seasons with Russian gaint Zenit Saint Petersburg.

The Serbian defender arrives at The Hawthorns, and signed a one-year deal today for newly promoted West Bromwich Albion ahead of the 2020/21 season.

During his stay at Russia, he made 125 appearances for Zenit, and scored 12 goals across all competitions since after joining them in February 2017.

Ivanovic who already has a wealth of Premier League experience during his nine successful years at Stamford Bridge, is set to play a vital role for West Brom in their quest to remain in the Premier League at the end of the new season, and will wear the No.20 shirt for the club.

He won three league titles, one UEFA Champions League, one UEFA Europa League, three FA Cups, one League Cup and one FA Community Shield in his 377 appearances for Chelsea, scoring 34 goals.

The Premier League is the best league in the world,” Branislav Ivanovic said via 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.

“I hope I am going to be successful here.... The 36-year-old added.

“I have a lot of ambition and I want to prove a lot of things. I will give everything for the team."

The Baggies boss Slaven Bilić also believes tgat the signing of Ivanović will be a big boost to his squad.

“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 said

“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.

“So it is not only him, it is him plus the influence he will have on not just defenders but the whole team around him. That's why we targeted him as one of our prime targets. 

“It’s a great signing for us.”

"The @premierleague is the best and toughest league in the world. I need to challenge myself and I am ready for the challenge."

Watch the full interview with our newest recruit, Branislav Ivanović, over at https://t.co/CZ5IBrM5e0 💬 pic.twitter.com/wo1n1Z0kM4

— West Bromwich Albion (@WBA) September 15, 2020

Ivanović has appeared at two FIFA World Cup finals for Serbia , 2010 in South Africa and 2018 in Russia, and is his nation’s most capped player with 105 appearances, and scored 13 goals since his first cap in June 2005.