[h=3]New Seagulls signing Stephens wants to combine graft with goals[/h]5:00am Friday 31st January 2014 in Albion By Brian Owen
Dale Stephens will do whatever job is asked of him
Midfielder Dale Stephens wants to go for goal after signing a three-and-a-half year deal with Albion.
But the 24-year-old is ready to dig in to help his new club to the play-offs.
The Charlton Athletic favourite signed for an undisclosed fee believed to be about £500,000 last night.
He is being seen as a replacement for Andrew Crofts, who chipped in with six goals from midfield before seeing his season cut short by a knee injury.
There could be more activity at The Amex before the transfer window closes tonight.
Spanish striker David Rodriguez is interesting the Seagulls although reports in Spain that a deal had been done were premature.
Stephens offers Championship experience and sewed up his move after passing a medical yesterday. He links up with Albion boss Oscar Garcia and assistant Nathan Jones, who he knows from their time together at Charlton.
Stephens said: “I know Oscar likes to play good football and, with Nathan’s influence, it is really appealing to me and one of the major reasons I came to this club.
“Albion have always been a difficult side to come up against and they have always played the best football in any division they have been in.
“I like to get forward and score a few goals but I know I have got responsibilities on the defensive side of things.
“I try to get involved with everything I can but if the manager has a certain role he wants me to play then I will obviously do that, so now my first port of call is meeting the lads and getting in the side.”
Rodriguez would be available to Albion without a transfer fee after he settled up the remaining five months on his contract at top-flight Spanish outfit Celta yesterday.
The lightning fast 27-year-old came through the ranks at Atletico Madrid.
He is s proven second-tier goalscorer in his homeland but was unable to force his way back into the Celta team this season after returning from a loan stint at Sporting Gijon.
Original article
Midfielder Dale Stephens wants to go for goal after signing a three-and-a-half year deal with Albion.
But the 24-year-old is ready to dig in to help his new club to the play-offs.
The Charlton Athletic favourite signed for an undisclosed fee believed to be about £500,000 last night.
He is being seen as a replacement for Andrew Crofts, who chipped in with six goals from midfield before seeing his season cut short by a knee injury.
There could be more activity at The Amex before the transfer window closes tonight.
Spanish striker David Rodriguez is interesting the Seagulls although reports in Spain that a deal had been done were premature.
Stephens offers Championship experience and sewed up his move after passing a medical yesterday. He links up with Albion boss Oscar Garcia and assistant Nathan Jones, who he knows from their time together at Charlton.
Stephens said: “I know Oscar likes to play good football and, with Nathan’s influence, it is really appealing to me and one of the major reasons I came to this club.
“Albion have always been a difficult side to come up against and they have always played the best football in any division they have been in.
“I like to get forward and score a few goals but I know I have got responsibilities on the defensive side of things.
“I try to get involved with everything I can but if the manager has a certain role he wants me to play then I will obviously do that, so now my first port of call is meeting the lads and getting in the side.”
Rodriguez would be available to Albion without a transfer fee after he settled up the remaining five months on his contract at top-flight Spanish outfit Celta yesterday.
The lightning fast 27-year-old came through the ranks at Atletico Madrid.
He is s proven second-tier goalscorer in his homeland but was unable to force his way back into the Celta team this season after returning from a loan stint at Sporting Gijon.
Original article