Gareth Barry turns up for new season at West Brom
Gareth Barry has triggered a clause in his contract to extend his stay at the Hawthorns, despite their nightmare season last year.
The former Aston Villa and Man City player became an object of fury from fans last season, as the side were relegated from the Premier League in a miserable campaign for all at the club.
Barry became the player to have made the most appearances ever in the top flight of the English game, beating Ryan Giggs´s record of 632. After making more than 25 appearances for the Baggies during the season, a clause in his contract was activated meaning the club were obliged to offer him another year on their books, and the 37 year-old decided to take them up on the offer.
Barry added to his poor form in the second half of the season by being involved in the infamous 'Taxigate'affair, in which members of the West Brom squad stole a taxi during a mid-season trip to Barcelona.
Darren Moore, who was named as the permanent replacement to Alan Pardew after fulfilling the caretaker role at the end of last campaign, will be looking to re-build his squad to try and return to the Premier League at the first time of asking. It is therefore unlikely that Barry will play as frequently as he did in the Premier League last season, with the Championship having 42 games and therefore being an even more difficult task for an ageing player than the 38 game Premier League campaign.
The Bagies begin their preparations for the new season with a training camp in Portugal, and then start their friendly fixtures in early July against Barnet.