WEST BROMWICH ALBION have completed the signing of Republic of Ireland winger James McClean.
The Premier League club announced the capture of the Derry native from Wigan Athletic on a three-year deal — with the option of an additional 12 months — for an undisclosed fee via their website this evening.
McClean, who’ll wear the number 14 shirt at the Hawthorns, said: “I’m delighted. I’ve played in the Premier League before and not only am I back here, but I’m with a stable top-flight club and one that wants to push on.
“Tony Pulis [West Brom manager] told me what his plans were, where I would fit in. It was all very positive. The Premier League is where any player wants to be. He also told me he has a great dressing room, it’s been a stable club — but he’s made it clear he wants to push this club on.
“I’m very ambitious. Everything about this move seems right for me — I’m very positive about it. Once the Albion came in this was a move I was keen to get done. This is a big club and a new chapter for me.”
McClean has spent the past two seasons in the Championship with Wigan Athletic, who he joined in 2013 after two years at Premier League club Sunderland. The former Derry City man was Wigan’s top goalscorer and Player of the Year last season.
The 26-year-old has won 30 caps for the Republic of Ireland, the most recent of which came as a substitute in the 1-1 Euro 2016 qualifier draw against Scotland in Dublin earlier this month.
“James has had a couple of indifferent years with Wigan but he did well at Sunderland and we’re very pleased to have him on board,” said West Brom boss Tony Pulis.
“I am absolutely confident that he can fulfil the potential to come back and be a big player for us. He’s got pace, he’s left-footed — so he gives us a good balance in the side — and he can score goals.”
Delighted for him and can only be a good thing to him playing in the Premier League again.
Should get good experience with Pulis too
He looks so like Landey Clarke from Friday Night Lights
I hope Pulis, the club and fans support his decision not to wear a poppy. I guarantee it will be blown out of proportion now he’s back in PL
Judging by reaction on social media its split 50/50 from club supporters.
Nice one.
Good move for both player and club. Pulis should get a lot more out of him than he’s shown before methinks.
Lovely Jersey
Good to see him back in the premier league! As for the poppy……symbols like that should be left out of football, especially in a global league like the ppremiership
he be playing left of a back 5 next. Great to see him back premier league
Ignorant comment. Pulis played brunt at left back of the 5. Gardner came in as a left winger but not a traditional one.
I’m hardly ignorant for having an opinion. Only one ignorant comment on this thread, just look for the red thumbs to find it.
Ignorant means lack of knowledge. Your lack of knowledge here was saying he will be playing left back,which he won’t.
Daragh you confirmed there was a chance of him playin left back of a 5, which the original comment said, Chris brunt is a midfielder. So where’s your point?
When West Brom (Under Tony Pulis) played 5-3-2 Chris Brunt played left back. When they played 4-4-2 Chris Brunt played left back. This was because Andre Wisdom,who had been playing there under Alan Irvine wasn’t up to the task. Also because Chris Brunt has slowed down for a left winger,hence the move back to left back which rejuvenated his season. My point is McClean will play as a left winger.
Ya he is a winger that’s not the point, point is Chris brunt is a similar type of player and no part of what you say proves that Pulis won’t play him left back (at some point). Brunt is a more proven premier league player and he’s 30 hardly could wright him off as being slowed down so he gets shoved back to left back. They struggled for a left back pocognoli was injured, wisdom is a right back, so who’s to say if there in the same position again Pulis won’t think about playing McLean left back?? Well unless he signs Robbie Brady who’s an attacking midfielder as well, ah sure he must have slowed down as well did he?? So you saying the original comment was ignorant was actually more ignorant
Where did I write Chris Brunt off? He had an exceptional second half of the season under Pulis. He’s lost the pace required of an attacking left winger something that McClean will hopefully bring. Pocognoli isn’t liked by Pulis even though he did ok under Irvine,so when he was fit he wasn’t near the team. Wisdom can actually play anywhere across the back four. A specialist left back will more than likely be bought with Neil Taylor from swansea being mentioned.
could you imagine him not wearing the pop but then scoring the winner in a game. oh my oh my, one can dream
not good enough for the premier lge