Albrechtsen relishes Rams test

Defender snubbed contract offer to stay with Baggies

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 1st July 2008

Albrechtsen relishes Rams test

Albrechtsen: New arrival at Derby

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Derby new-boy Martin Albrechtsen is delighted to have secured a move to the ambitious Championship club.

The Danish defender completed his switch to Pride Park on Tuesday and is looking forward to the challenges ahead.

He has chosen to join the Rams despite the opportunity to test himself in the Premier League with the Baggies, and has admitted that he was offered a new deal at the Hawthorns.

However, he revealed that he was unable to agree terms with his former employers and welcomed the news that Derby were interested in securing his services.

"I had an offer from West Brom but we couldn't agree the final terms," Albrechtsen told Sky Sports News.

"Derby came in and showed much interest so I thought, 'Why not try something new?' So here I am."

Regular

The commanding defender played 41 times in West Brom's title-winning Championship campaign last season and would have expected to feature prominently again next term.

He admits that Baggies boss Tony Mowbray was keen to keep him, but felt that the time was right to move on.

"They said that they still wanted me," he said.

"But I don't think it showed in the contract they offered and so I had look around for something else."