Jason Koumas

The following month he marked his 300th career league appearance by scoring his first goal for his new club, converting an 80th-minute penalty to rescue a 1–1 home draw with Fulham.

Jason Koumas (born 25 September 1979) is a Welsh former professional footballer who played for Tranmere Rovers, Cardiff City, West Bromwich Albion and Wigan Athletic, as well as the Welsh national team.

He spent nine years in the Liverpool academy before joining Tranmere at eighteen.

Koumas made his professional debut for Tranmere Rovers in the 1998–99 season.

He scored one of Tranmere's goals when they knocked out Merseyside rivals Everton in the 2000–01 FA Cup in a memorable 3–0 victory at Goodison Park.

A series of impressive performances over the next four years won him many plaudits, including a place in the PFA Division Two Team of the Year for 2001–02.

Koumas established himself as a talented youngster with immense potential.

In August 2002, this potential was spotted by then West Bromwich Albion manager, Gary Megson, who paid Rovers a fee of £2.25 million to secure his services.

A successful first season at Premier League level, including sensational solo goals against Manchester United and Blackburn Rovers, saw Koumas win the club's Player of the Season award.

However, this was not enough to prevent Albion from suffering relegation back to the Football League.

Koumas inspired West Brom's promotion back to the Premier League in the 2003–04 season.

He won the First Division Player of the Month award for November 2003, scoring three league goals in the month, including a double in a 3–0 win at Nottingham Forest.

On 18 April 2004, Koumas scored a last minute goal in a vital 1–0 win against fellow promotion chasers Sunderland, which essentially sealed Albion's return to the Premier League.

Koumas finished the season with ten league goals as West Brom finished runners-up and was subsequently named in the First Division PFA Team of the Year.

In the summer of 2004, Koumas signed a new contract with Albion, but during the following season fell out with new boss Bryan Robson.

Robson stated that he was "disappointed" with Koumas' attitude and placed him on the transfer list.

He was selected in both the 2005–06 and 2006–07 Football League Championship team of the season.

At the start of the 2005–06 season, Koumas was loaned out to Cardiff City.

This move proved an immediate success, with Koumas coming off the bench to score on his debut against Leeds United.

Throughout the remainder of the season, Koumas consistently turned in man-of-the-match winning performances, scoring 13 times in 44 appearances from midfield, including a hattrick away at Luton in a pulsating victory.

Koumas earned himself hero status amongst the Bluebirds faithful as well as the club's Player of the Year award and a place in the Championship's PFA Team of the Season.

Cardiff City then attempted to negotiate a transfer fee for Koumas before the start of the 2006–07 season, however they failed to come to an agreement with West Brom.

Koumas was effectively on strike throughout the negotiations and refused to return to the Hawthorns, even resorting to training on his own away from the club.

On 23 August, Koumas made a U-turn in his West Bromwich Albion career by signing a new three-year deal at the club.

His club career was then rejuvenated under new manager Tony Mowbray, becoming a first team regular again and putting in several man of the match performances during the 2006–07 season.

He won the Powerade Championship player of the month award for December 2006.

Koumas was named the Championship Player of the Year at the Football League Awards in March 2007, and was also honoured in April with a place in the Championship PFA Team of the Year.

Despite the individual accolades, Koumas was unable to help West Brom achieve promotion following a defeat to Derby in the 2007 Football League Championship play-off final.

In July 2007, West Brom agreed a fee of £5.3 million with Wigan Athletic, stating that it was a head-turning offer.

Koumas completed the move to Wigan on 10 July.

Tranmere received a portion of the transfer fee having previously included a sell-on clause in their agreement with West Brom.

He made his Wigan debut on 11 August 2007 in a 2–1 defeat away at Everton.

Due to injury and a lack of first team opportunities under three different managers during his three years at Wigan, Koumas was linked with a return to previous club West Bromwich Albion along with Newcastle United and Leicester City on a loan deal until the end of the 2009–10 season, however a loan move never materialised.

Koumas was released at the end of 2010–11 season following his return from a loan period at Cardiff City.

On 5 August 2010, Koumas agreed a deal to re-join Cardiff City on a season-long loan, but was unable to complete the move until after Cardiff's transfer embargo was lifted.

The following day, the club's transfer embargo was lifted and Koumas was able to register with the club two days prior to the start of the 2010–11 season.

On 12 May 2016, Leon Barton wrote in a long blog post for The Guardian that Koumas's talent - often described as "mercurial" - was no less than Steven Gerrard's, but described him as undisciplined.

Born in Wrexham to an English mother and Greek-Cypriot father, Koumas played for local youth sides during his primary school years, before joining the Liverpool Academy aged nine.

Koumas played regularly alongside players such as Steven Gerrard and Michael Owen and was highly rated by the club.

However, he did not sign Youth Training Scheme forms with the club, reportedly due to coaching staff refusing to play him in his preferred central midfield position, instead opting to join Tranmere Rovers.