By Jemma Tappenden
December 8 2007

This week Astle Central looks at another of Tony Mowbray’s star buys. This January Koren will be able to celebrate a whole year of playing for Albion, after signing an 18 month contract on a free under the Bosman ruling. The midfielder has had an interesting club and international career to date.

Born on the 20^th September 1980, Slovenian Midfielder Robert Koren played for three sides in his home country, NK Publikum, NK Dravograd and NK Ralje before moving into the Norwegian Premier League to star for Lillestrom.  His move to Norway in 2004 saw him become one of the countries leading Midfielders, and he was widely regarded as the best international player in the league by his fellow players and competitors. 

His time in Norway earned him recognition in English football, and he was linked with moves to both Leeds United and Manchester City before finally signing an 18 month contract with West Bromwich Albion on 4^th January 2007.  The contract also came with he option of a years add on in the clubs favour. 

Just two days after putting pen to paper, Koren made his Albion debut in a 3-1 victory over Leeds United in the 3^rd round of the FA cup.  He would have to wait until May to score his first goal for the Baggies, but he did so in superb style, contributing to a 7-0 thrashing of fellow Championship side Barnsley on the last day of the season.  The win secured Albion’s place in the Play offs, and Koren featured in all three play off games, the two victories over Midland’s rivals Wolves, and the heartbreaking final loss at Wembley to Derby County. 

In July of the close season, the popular midfielder was victim of a freak training accident when a ball caught him in the eye causing internal bleeding a temporary loss of sight.  Despite fearing the loss of his vision he made a full recovery, and whilst he missed the start of the 2007/08 campaign has featured heavily for Albion since his return.  In September of 2007 he put pen to paper again, signing for a further two years with yet another 12 month add on.

The two goals he notched up for Albion in their 3-2 away defeat at Southampton earned him a place in the Championship team of the week.  Gaffer Tony Mowbray has described the Slovenian player, who has been capped 21 times scoring one goal for his country as a “model pro”.  Koren also made 12 appearances for Slovenia at under-21 level.