GOALKEEPER Stephen Bywater has today signed a new one-year deal with the club.
A highly experienced goalkeeper, Stephen joined the Brewers in January 2016 initially for the remainder of the 2015/16 season after returning from a spell in the Indian Super League with Kerala Blasters.
During Albion’s first season in England’s second tier the former West Ham and Derby stopper made six appearances for Nigel Clough’s team including the 2-1 victory against Leeds United and the 1-1 draw away at Barnsley where the Brewers secured Championship survival.
Stephen Bywater said: “I’m so excited and I’m very happy. Once the manager said he’d like me to be here it was a no-brainer. I thought he should have got manager of the year so to play for someone who can do a job so fantastically then I want to be here.
"I just see it that the manager knows I’ve got the ability to play if I’m called upon. I’m professional and I keep myself fit and Martin Taylor looks after me. I trust him to manage me throughout the season so no matter what stage I’m called upon I’ll be ready to go.
"He (Nigel Clough) wants characters and he wants people who want to be part of a team and that’s throughout the whole club. It feels like a family and I want to be part of that. I think it’s exciting.
"All the squad are one and whoever the manager picks for certain games you go out there and you do your best for the club and that’s the mentality that we have to have. It’s not about individuals it’s about being ready to play at 3 o’clock or 7.45 and out of the whole squad you’re ready to play.”
Nigel Clough said: “He’s proved his worth in the last part of the season but that’s only on the pitch. His worth around the place and just having aback-up on call when we need him but next season he might not be back-up. Whoever we bring it he will be challenging for that number one spot.”