Former Albion captain Steve Foster has joined forces with the PFA to provide tailor-made insurance policies for their 3,000 members.

Premiership superstars like Arsenal and England fullback Ashley Cole down to apprentices in the Third Division will receive a tax-free lump sum if their career is ended by injury through the deal struck between the players' union and Foster's company Pro-Secure.

Mick McGuire, Deputy Chief Executive of the PFA, said: "Every player runs the risk of career-ending injury which makes its imperative for every PFA member, irrespective of status or income, to protect their futures.

"This is why we advise all players to have their own individual Pro-Secure personal accident policy in their own name. Cover is particularly important for young players who need to insure against the loss of future career earnings."

Cole is among the stars with a Pro-Secure personal accident policy, offering him 24-hour protection on both domestic and international duty.

Foster said: "Professional football is a high-risk occupation. It is essential for every player to have adequate insurance cover.

"Working with the PFA, we are aiming to educate players to have their own policies so they can properly plan for the future should their career prematurely end."

Pro-Secure was founded by Foster in 1994 and is run with former Sussex paceman and chief executive Tony Pigott.