Craig Gardner is delighted with his move to West Bromwich Albion.
The former Sunderland midfielder cannot wait for the season to start - a project he claims has been ongoing for about two or three years.
"West Brom are now an established team in the Premier League," said Gardner to the Birmingham Mail.
"That's why I came here and why I've been wanting to come here for two or three years.
"I'm just glad it finally happened. Villa are established but I honestly think Albion can compete too.
"I was close to joining in the past. It should have got done in January. I was all ready then but it stretched out until the summer.
"I was pretty much sold in January. Why it didn't happen then I don't know. My agent simply told me it would happen in the summer. I knew I'd be a free this summer and it was probably the right choice."
