West Brom in for Inamoto and Contra
Tuesday, August 31, 2004
Article summary
Japan midfielder Junichi Inamoto and Romania defender Cosmin Contra have joined West Bromwich Albion FC.
Article body
Spell at Fulham
Inamoto, who recently ended his two-year loan spell at Fulham FC after an earlier stint at Arsenal FC, has signed a two-and-a-half year contract with the option of another year. The 24-year-old will not be fit to play before October, having suffered a hairline fracture of the leg during Japan's 1-1 friendly draw against England in June. He will arrive at the Premiership club within a fortnight to continue his recovery.
Transfer fee
West Brom will pay the Osaka club a €295,000 transfer fee once Inamoto has made his competitive debut but should the player fail to do so before 1 January, West Brom will have the option of releasing him at no cost to them.
Contra deal
As for Contra, he comes from Club Atlético de Madrid. The 28-year-old full-back was in the Deportivo Alavés side that reached the 2001 UEFA Cup final, before joining AC Milan. He subsequently moved back to Spain to play for Atlético but, after suffering ankle ligament damage at the start of last season, struggled to win a first-team place on his return to fitness.