However, the defender would age like a great wine, remaining a constant fixture in the Premier League and often participating in top-flight play until the age of 38.

Especially prominent under Tony Pulis, few could have predicted the impact McAuley would have on Albion’s long Premier League tenure, with him contributing to the club’s impregnable defence across numerous regimes.

Gareth McAuley’s superb stay at West Brom

When looking at Gareth McAuley’s signing at face value, it seemed like an uninspiring addition.

Until that moment, the centre defender had a well-established career in the EFL pyramid but was deemed insufficient to make the step up to the Premier League.

But McAuley would prove all of his naysayers wrong, developing season after season to become such a valuable and crucial cog in the Albion engine.

McAuley, who first joined the club under Roy Hodgson, was a steady and no-nonsense central defender whose ability to get on the end of dead-ball deliveries proved a valuable asset to the Baggies throughout his time there.

McAuley would play in the majority of Albion games in his first season, missing only two matches the following season as the Black Country club finished ninth in the Premier League.

A towering stature and natural leader in the backline, the former Rangers player was a key character in various systems, putting in strong performances under Pepe Mel and Alan Irvine as Albion narrowly retained their Premier League position.

However, after Tony Pulis replaced Irvine at the start of 2015, McAuley’s stock skyrocketed, with the central defender becoming a focal point from set pieces, scoring six times in the 2016/17 season.

McAuley, who formed a vital relationship with Jonny Evans at the heart of the backline, epitomised Pulis’ style of play as a centre-back who would kick and head anything that came his way, while also posing a threat in both boxes, which helped him become such a well-rounded Premier League defender.

McAuley appeared in more than 200 Premier League games over seven seasons, scoring 15 goals.

Gareth McAuley will go down as one of West Brom’s best-ever bargain buys

Gareth McAuley, a wonderful servant to the club, was such an important role in West Brom’s long-term success in the Premier League, and it was such a brilliant piece of business for a free transfer to have such a lasting impact on the club. McAuley’s time at Albion ended on a bad note, as he lost his spot under Tony Pulis, Alan Pardew, and Darren Moore with the signing of Egyptian defender Ahmed Hegazi.

Despite this, the 6’5″ defender was an excellent addition, embodying the club’s enthusiasm and passion while always being available when needed.

Albion undoubtedly got the best out of McAuley, who had his greatest years as a defender as he became older. He will be remembered fondly at The Hawthorns for his unwavering effort and dedication.

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