London: Darren Fletcher's 15-year Manchester United career came to an end on Monday as West Bromwich Albion announced that they had signed the Scotland captain on a free transfer.

The 31-year-old midfielder first joined United as a schoolboy and made 342 appearances for the club, scoring 24 goals. But after falling out of favour under new United manager Louis van Gaal, he signed for West Brom on a two-and-a-half-year contract with an option for a further year.

"Albion are delighted to welcome Darren Fletcher on free transfer. Our new No.24 has signed a 2.5 year deal with a 12-month option," West Brom announced on their official Twitter page.

Fletcher was pictured holding his West Brom jersey on his new employers' website. "I've spent my career at United and it's all I've ever known," he said.

"But I felt it was the right time to move and I'm not sentimental about doing that -- I have great memories obviously, but I'm now a West Bromwich Albion player and I cannot wait to get going," Fletcher added.

An industrious central midfielder, Fletcher came through United's youth academy and made his debut for the first team in March 2003. During his time at United, he won five Premier League titles, two League Cups, the Champions League and the FIFA Club World Cup, as well as making 66 appearances for Scotland and scoring five goals.

In December 2011, he began an extended break from football after being diagnosed with a chronic bowel condition, but after a brief return in late 2012, he made a successful comeback last season.

In a statement on Twitter, United said, "Darren Fletcher has joined West Brom after 342 #mufc appearances. #thankyoufletch for your fantastic service."