Evans open to European move

Last updated : 08 June 2017 By Wba-mad Editor

Jonny Evans has again reiterated his desire to play in Europe - but insists he's happy at West Brom for the time being. 

Evans again outlined his ambition to play overseas after helping Northern Ireland to a 1-0 friendly win against New Zealand last week. 

It should come as no surprise to Albion fans after Evans revealed an interest in moving overseas in radio interview previously. 

"I think playing abroad has always appealed to me," said the 30-year-old..

"A lot of people have said, 'You should go abroad'. I've always watched a lot of Spanish football and more recently German football, so it's always something which has appealed to me.

"Footballers always say, 'I'd love to play abroad' and it often never happens, perhaps because the Premier League is such a big draw and we're lucky to have that on our doorstep.

"In the back of my head, if the opportunity came up, I would think about it more than other people.

"The style of play appeals but also a different culture - a lot of foreign players come to the Premier League to play and people from different countries always seem to embrace England and learn a new language, so the whole package appeals.

"I speak a fair bit of Spanish now. Since I came to West Brom I've been learning. I was always interested in languages - I did them at school.

"I thought rather than waste three hours of my day I would start to learn Spanish in the car. I can read pretty well, and I could read a Spanish newspaper, but speaking is a different thing - you need the confidence to speak it.

"If a move ever came about... yes, why not? I am probably at the stage with my Spanish where I need to immerse myself and speak every day to progress, so I have quite a good understanding of it.

"We have a Venezuelan, (Salomon) Rondon, Argentinian (Claudio) Yacob and (Cristian) Gamboa, who is Costa Rican, was there last year, so every now and then he would text me and I'd reply in Spanish, and I think they'd be quite impressed!"

The former Manchester United man is being tipped to captain Albion next season after Darren Fletcher's departure to Stoke. And despite his ambitions, he insists he's not yet ready to call time on his Albion career. 

"It gives you confidence when the manager appreciates you," he added.

"It shows his belief that you've done a good job and I hope I can continue doing that for West Brom."