Goran Popov will return to WBA for another season-long loan deal from Dynamo Kiev.

Full back Goran Popov will remain in West Bromwich Albion for another season, it was revealed today. The fan favorite, as WBA’s website describes Popov, will have a chance to make the move permanent next summer as West Brom has an option in the contract to purchase him outright at the conclusion of the loan.

Team’s head coach Steve Clarke was quoted as saying: “It was always our intention to get Goran back over the summer. He knows what the club is all about and we know what he’s about as well. He understands the Premier League better now and we will look for even more from him next season”.
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Popov will once again compete with Liam Ridgewell for playing time at the left back position.  Last year, Clarke praised the competition at that position and felt the two players made each other better. Whoever player had to perform since a dip in form would have led to a benching.

Despite moving to England’s top flight, Goran has been excluded from the Macedonian national team after falling out with manager Chedomir Janevski.  His last call up came in October of last year when Janevski decided to drop him from the squad after Popov’s lack of concentration led to a couple of goals by Croatia.  Goran was then benched for the 16 October qualifier against Serbia which he did not take well.  He lashed out, causing some turmoil within the team, which caused Janevski to demand an apology for Popov to regain his spot on the squad.  That apology has not arrived yet and Goran continues to be left out of the national team.