Zoltan Gera finally ended the protracted speculation over his future by rejecting a final contract offer from West Bromwich Albion in favour of a move to Fulham.

The 29-year-old Hungary international has signed what is said to be a lucrative deal to join the Cottagers ahead of a host of other clubs who were said to be interested, namely Middlesbrough, Bolton, Wigan, Everton, Portsmouth, Celtic and Benfica.

His decision will come as no surprise to most people at Albion and manager Tony Mowbray has already begun the search for a replacement with Rangers’ Kevin Thomson, who was his captain at Hibernian, thought to be high on his list.

The writing was on the wall when Gera rejected an initial offer by Albion in October and, in a bid to persuade the Hungary captain to stay and help Albion’s first season in the Barclays Premier League, a second offer was tabled but Mowbray categorically stated it was a final offer.

“Having offered Zoltan the best contract the club could at this time, we could do no more,” Mowbray conceded.

“We would like to wish Zoltan all the best in his future career. Everyone at Albion appreciated his professionalism on and off the field. But football moves on and, just as we did last summer, we are looking forward to the challenge of finding new faces to strengthen the squad for the season ahead.”

If Gera’s departure wasn’t a surprise, his destination may cause a few to raise their eyebrows, although The Post revealed on Friday that Fulham were favourites to sign him.

Gera has rejected Champions League football with Celtic and Uefa Cup football with Everton and Portsmouth to team up with former Albion colleague Diomansy Kamara at Craven Cottage. His motivation, therefore, must be financial and Fulham chairman Mohamed Al Fayed has continually poured money into the club.

It may well prove that Gera has jumped out of the frying pan and into the fire by joining the west Londoners, who narrowly avoided relegation on the final day of last season.

Their prospects don’t look much better as influential captain Brian McBride has returned to America and star midfielder Jimmy Bullard is tipped to be leaving Fulham for either West Ham or even Aston Villa.

Despite the disappointment of Gera’s decision, Albion fans have appreciated his four-year spell at The Hawthorns. The midfielder signed for the Baggies from Ferencvaros in July 2004 and scored 25 times in 155 appearances, including 39 as a substitute.

Gera was a revelation in his first season in English football during 2004/05 and his six Premiership goals helped Albion pull off the ‘Great Escape’.

The following season was a virtual write-off for the Hungary international due to a perplexing pelvic problem and he then enjoyed a steady first-ever Championship campaign when the Baggies reached the 2007 play-off final.

His ten goals from midfield in all competitions last term helped Mowbray’s men clinch promotion back to the Barclays Premiership as Coca-Cola Championship champions and reach the FA Cup semi-finals.