“The club and the Former Players Association are delighted to announce the presentation of a club cap to Albion’s former Macedonian international Artim Shaqiri. Artim signed for manager Gary Megson in July 2003 from CSKA Sofia for a fee reputed to be in the region of £70,000, an absolute snip for this highly talented player, and would make 33 first team appearances for the ‘Baggies’ helping Albion to promotion in 2004, plus a number of games in the Premier League, in the infamous ’Great Escape season.
His one goal for the club was scored on debut against Burnley at The Hawthorns on 16th August 2003, an absolute ‘screamer’ which equalised the ‘Clarets’ opener, giving Albion the platform for a rousing 4-1 victory. Now a football coach in his native Macedonia, Artim now 51 years of age, who made over sixty appearances for Macedonia, captaining his country, is waiting to take up a coaching post in Saudi Arabia, and is well remembered by Albion fans for his silky skills and wonderful personality.”