Socceroos star Tom Rogic received a hero’s farewell from Celtic as the Hoops won the Scottish Premiership earlier this year.
His run with the Scottish juggernauts had resulted in seven Scottish championships, five League Cups and five Scottish FA Cups, with the Aussie featuring 272 times for Celtic between 2013 and 2022.
After refusing a call up the national team as the Socceroos qualified for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar citing personal reasons, the worry set in for Australian football fans.
Many saw Rogic slipping into a quiet retirement with most showing genuine concern for his physical and mental wellbeing.
After being spotted back Down Under as a free agent many speculated about a possible A-League return at 29 years of age, however, these rumours were downplayed as interest from EPL side Everton gathered pace.
When these rumours subsided, the media and the press expressed increased concern about the Socceroos star’s health after seven years away from Australia, including a pandemic period, seemed to take its toll on the talented attacking midfielder.
The angst of this problematic situation was dashed as West Bromwich Albion announced the dynamic midfield presence as their latest signing on a one-year deal, as West Brom seek promotion back to the Premier League after a stumbling start to the 2022/23 Championship season.
In a statement released by the club, manager Steve Bruce admired Tom’s professionalism going onto say that he “is a proven top-quality player” and a “serial winner”. Rogic added that he was looking forward to a “change of scenery and a fresh challenge”.
Rogic has become a household name in Australian football, amassing 51 caps and 8 goals for the Socceroos, representing his country at the 2018 World Cup in Russia and 2019 Asian Cup in the United Arab Emirates.
Rogic joins countrymen Riley McGree (Middlesborough), Kenny Dougall (Blackpool), Harry Souttar (Stoke City) and Bailey Wright (Sunderland) in competing for the opportunity to play in the world’s most watched football league.
NoMates
Roar Rookie
I submit a story of Channel 10 dumping the A-league on its 2nd channel and it doesn't get posted yet this does? Fk off.
Grem
Roar Rookie
Arzani found form last night in the Australia Cup.
Garry
Roar Rookie
"His day appeared to get even better on Wednesday night when a report emerged that several European clubs are interested in signing him — and that Kuol has agreed in principle to a monster four-year deal with Premier League giant Newcastle United."
Garry
Roar Rookie
"I was born in West Bromwich but they soon smuggled me out. It all started with Billy Wright’s wave..."
David V
Guest
WBA have already got John Swift and Jed Wallace - Swift in particular is quite a talent.
At work
Roar Rookie
He still hasn't explained why he didn't front up for the Socceroos, and if it has anything to do with hurt feelings of being pushed out be Ange then that'll be a very disappointing outcome
Garry
Roar Rookie
ps its now Commbank Stadium and makes more sense crowd size wise BUT Allianz is the flavour of the month. These also a womens AFL game the week before at commbank. Mind you theres a possibilty of an NRL game at Allianz next week I guess. Checked and no NRL game there next week.
Geoff Foley
Roar Rookie
Okon the Younger is a deadset gun- just signed with Benfica and will be playing for the Young Socceroos in the next few weeks. Big things expected.
Geoff Foley
Roar Rookie
Hrustic just moved onwards to Hellas Verona, got 20 minutes in the weekend's loss to Lazio. Reckon he'll get enough time to be right for the WC now.
Mark
Guest
The additional problem is whether Rogic will get sufficient game time considering that WBA's AM John Swift has only this season been bought from Reading for $7M so is one of their highest valued players in the squad although seems that WBA may have paid overs for him. Whilst I don't follow West Brom, being a Tiger supporter, Swift did score against us in their one and only win this season but I'm not sure how good he has been overall. Saying that WBA manager Steve Bruce has a history of working with a number of Australian players when in charge of Hull City, so that's probably why he's picked up Rogic. Bruce also is a very experienced gaffer with a reputation of getting teams up to the EPL, although I think this time it'll take at least another year of that, if he gets the time to do that considering their predicament.
Garry
Roar Rookie
1 Oct and I bet its Allianz
Tigertown
Guest
It’ll be an Australia Cup grand final in Sydney town. Macarthur defeated Oakleigh 5-2 tonight. BankWest at Parramatta would be a fabulous location to hold the big match against Sydney United.
Tigertown
Guest
Too true, Grem, Kuol deserves at least 15 minutes on the pitch. He’s introduction will be amazing. Total anticipation from the fans. Love it. Mainstream media, I feel, are onboard too.
Tigertown
Guest
I used to be a huge Mclaren fan. Times change. He hangs around the goals like a younger version of Cristiano Ronaldo, waiting for service. The bloke will be 30 soon. A worthy Melbourne City recruit, but we need to blood fresh Socceroos.
Tigertown
Guest
I believe Ange pushed Rogic out. Not nudged, but given his marching orders by the Celtic manager. It messed with Rogic a bit. AWOL from the Socceroos too. He’d play for Everton to simply spite Ange.
chris
Guest
Fiorentina would have been perfect. They certainly do some things right there with players like Baggio, Chiesa, Vlahovic having made their name there before being sold off for the big money. Whilst WBA is better than sitting on his proverbial for Rogic, I'm not sure he will last physically. At least the WC is not that far away so surely he wont injure himself!
chris
Guest
Simmo is there one? I don't believe there is. At the end of the day the salary caps main purpose is to stop clubs from spending too much and sending themselves broke. I don't know if anyone at FA cares that much about the clubs in NPL? : )
Simmo
Roar Rookie
hey, unrelated, does anyone know what the salary caps in the various NPLs are?
Garry
Roar Rookie
BTW those looking for Big Blue tickets theyre on sale now!
Punter
Roar Rookie
I'd love for Arnie to throw on Kuol & Azani, if he finds form, in the last 15 mins of a WC match.