FLW describes the nine people who left the Hawthorns and their current situation.
Many West Bromwich Albion players had to depart this summer in order to balance the books due to the team’s unstable financial status.
The Baggies, under the direction of Carlos Corberan, will be attempting to return to the Premier League for the third time in their history after only losing out on a play-off spot the previous season despite a strong run of results under the Spanish manager. After obtaining a £20 million loan from MSD Holdings, Albion was limited to using only free transfers and loan agreements for recruitment. Nine players left the Black Country during the summer transfer window as part of their fundraising efforts.
We examine the nine WBA players and their progress since leaving the Hawthorns here at Football League World.
Dara O’Shea
Dara O’Shea, a former Baggies defender who rose through the organization’s development systems to establish himself as a staple in the first squad, will start.
The 24-year-old made 107 appearances in blue and white over the course of four seasons after being benched by Slaven Bilic at the start of the 2019–20 campaign. This summer, O’Shea returned to the Premier League, joining Burnley, who had just been promoted. A estimated £7 million deal helped to stabilize the team for the near future.
After that, O’Shea made four appearances in the top flight, starting their season’s first three games in losses to Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa, and Manchester City.
Jake Livermore
Jake Livermore, a former captain of the Albion team who lived in the West Midlands for six and a half years, is the next player up.
After 216 games, nine goals and twelve assists, Livermore moved on to fresh pastures at Watford, where he teamed up with former WBA manager Valerien Ismael. The two began working together in 2021. The 33-year-old veteran played little minutes in Hertfordshire after joining the Hornets, but he made his first league start against Cardiff City.
David Button
Another summer departure from the Hawthorns was goalkeeper David Button, whose performances attracted the attention of Baggies supporters—but not in a positive way.
Under Steve Bruce, Button established himself as the starting number one between the posts; however, under Corberan, the 34-year-old’s playing time was curtailed by the rise of Josh Griffiths and Alex Palmer.
Button joined the Royals at a trying period off the field for the Berkshire-based club, and since then, he has started every minute under Ruben Selles.
Tom Rogic
Tom Rogic, a former Australian international, had a disappointing time with the Baggies as his contract expired this summer. Rogic joined on a free transfer from Scottish champions Celtic, but he struggled to adjust to the tough schedule of the Championship, scoring just one goal and dishing out three assists in 20 games played in the lower division. After failing to locate another team where he could devote “focus and attention” to his family, the 30-year-old recently declared his retirement from football. Due to Palmer and Griffiths occupying the two positions in the matchday squad, Button chose to leave WBA this summer a year early, which gave him the opportunity to sign with League One’s newly relegated Reading.
Karlan Grant
Karlan Grant left during the summer transfer window to spend the season at Cardiff City in South Wales.
With 18 goals from 44 games, the former forward for Huddersfield Town and Charlton Athletic was Albion’s highest scorer in the 2021–2022 season. But Corberan decided to loan the 26-year-old out for more reliable playing time after he only managed three goals the next season. Grant has started every game for the Bluebirds on the left wing thus far, although in their 11 domestic debut games, he has only managed one goal and two assists.
Taylor Gardner-Hickman
Taylor Gardner-Hickman, another alumnus of the WBA academy, left the team this summer to sign a season-long loan with Bristol City, managed by Nigel Pearson.
The 21-year-old, who has made 52 appearances for the team he grew up playing for, took his first trip outside of the Albion setup to obtain more Championship experience. Gardner-Hickman has made three starts for the Robins in seven league games. In their most recent matchup with Leeds United, he recorded his first assist.
Zac Ashworth
Zac Ashworth, who also came through the Albion development system, left Burton Albion for Bolton Wanderers this summer on a loan, following a successful season there.
The Welsh youth international has played just 52 minutes in 11 league games, with the Trotters having an option to buy under Ian Evatt’s leadership. However, the Welsh youth international has yet to start a game in the league.
Ethan Ingram
This summer, another loan departure was fellow defender Ethan Ingram, who spent the season with League Two team Salford City.
After failing to play in a league game for the Baggies, Ingram relocated to Peninsula Stadium in order to gain much-needed EFL experience. The 20-year-old has started seven straight games for the Ammies, who are now ranked 15th in the fourth division.
Kean Bryan
Central defender Kean Bryan completes the list. Bryan had an ACL injury in November 2021 and was never able to return to the Baggies.
Following a setback in his recuperation and a decline in his position, Bryan was let go this summer and is currently without a club. The 26-year-old is still dealing with the consequences of such a significant injury condition.
