Foster grateful for fans´ support

Ben Foster says his ‘special connection’ with West Brom fans was the key factor behind his decision to move permanently from Birmingham.

The former Manchester United goalkeeper was voted the supporters’ and players’ Player of the Year for his performances last campaign while on a season-long loan from St Andrew’s.

And Foster has claimed that the fans helped him settle in at the Hawthorns, who will play under new manager Steve Clarke this Premier League campaign after Roy Hodgson left for the England job in May.

“The fans accepted me so well and I always got such an amazing buzz off them last season,” he told the club’s official website.

“I’ve got a special connection with them and joining the club was a bit of a no-brainer because of that.

“I’m quite a positive person and give everything all of the time and I think the fans appreciate that.

“They were with us throughout, were our 12th man at times and sometimes you need that.”

Prior to QPR signing West Ham United shot-stopper Robert Green, Foster was linked with a move to Loftus Road but he dismissed any notion of signing elsewhere and insisted he is delighted with the move.

“I’m over the moon, I’m absolutely over the moon,” he said. “I think everybody knows how happy I was here last season.

“There were never any worries that I’d be going anywhere else.

“There were always rumours regarding other clubs, but it was nothing I ever took seriously, because my family were very settled in the area.

“We had an amazing season last year and, for me personally, it was topped off by getting Player of the Year as well.”