Baggies star: I rejected Premiership

West Bromwich Albion defender Paul Robinson says he rejected a move to Wigan Athletic during the off season to stay at The Hawthorns.

Robinson said: "People don't realise that initially it's not my decision, it's the club's. If the club accepts a fee that's their valuation of me then they give you permission to speak to another club. It's then a player's decision whether he wants to stay or go.

"It was a tough decision because I love it here and my family are settled where we are. At the same time, it was Premiership football. These are the decisions you have to make in life.

"Considering leaving wasn't because I wasn't committed any more. Over the summer my head wasn't right because of all the stories that were coming out and things were said about me that upset me.

"I don't know where the Sunderland story came from but the Wigan one was true, I don't deny that, but again what was written about me was untrue.

"I went for a chat, end of story. My decision was simple - it wasn't the right time for me to move on. It was my decision to stay with Albion and the way the stories were twisted was ridiculous.

"For me to say this now will hopefully put a lot of people right and maybe they will respect me a little bit more for my decision."