By Paul Holmes
August 5 2002

Sean Gregan has finally signed for West Brom after months of negotiations. The most public transfer of all time, probably, has finally gone through this afternoon (Monday) after Gregan passed a medical at The Hawthornes.

Gregan will be a great loss to both Preston and the 1st Division but will grace the Premier League.

Baggies chairman Jeremy Peace confirmed the transfer to the clubs official site. "We're delighted to have Sean on board.

"I believe he will be a tremendous asset for us as we gear up for the Premiership challenge ahead.

"He's a leader on the field and a player Gary Megson was very eager to bring in."

Peace added: "The reasons behind the deal becoming so drawn out rest with all parties - not just ourselves.

"We've paid what we believe to be the right price for Sean.

"The fee we have paid is the same offer we tabled for Sean a month ago."

Peace then took a swipe at Preston: "We would have liked to have kept the negotiations strictly between the two clubs and have been disappointed by some of the comments Preston have made publicly."