Cedric Kipre of West Bromwich Albion
Cedric Kipre has said goodbye and thank you to all connected with West Bromwich Albion as he confirmed his departure from the club. Centre half Kipre, 27, is heading to France where he’ll join Ligue 1 side Stade de Reims on a free transfer following the expiry of his Albion contract.
It was a mixed bag of a spell that Kipre experienced at The Hawthorns; having not had a look-in under Slaven Bilic and loaned out by both Sam Allardyce and Steve Bruce to Charleroi and Cardiff respectively, the French born defender came into his own under current incumbent Carlos Corberan, who placed his trust in Kipre last pre-season.
Despite early teething problems, Kipre grew into his role alongside the experienced Kyle Bartley and proceeded to enjoy an excellent Championship campaign, during which he won the supporters’ player and players’ player of the year awards. Kipre scored with his final touch of the ball as an Albion player when he netted a late consolation at St Mary’s in the second leg of the Baggies’ ill-fated play-off semi-final against Southampton.
The irony for Albion was that Kipre had transformed his reputation with the fanbase and declared himself a crucial member of the side in what was his fourth and final year at the club. When the opportunity to venture elsewhere and play at a higher level, Kipre has taken the chance and is due to pitch up at Reims, who have previously been managed by young English coach Will Still.
On the eve of signing, Kipre has confirmed his exit out of Albion and, in doing so, he has thanked all of those who played a part in helping to produce the platform on which he performed – and, as a result, has been able to move onto bigger things.
“Thank you,” Kipre wrote on Instagram. “As I say goodbye to you all, I wanted to show my gratitude for the support you’ve shown me throughout my time here. It has been a journey filled with many ups and downs, but I’m leaving with great memories.
“To my teammates, the staff, to the club and to the fans, thanks for being a part of my journey and allowing me to make the best out of this opportunity. Ced.”
Albion, meanwhile, have been linked with a move for Standard Liege midfielder Isaac Price; the Everton academy product, 20, is a Northern Irish international who made two Premier League appearances for the Toffees before moving to Belgium last summer, where he played 28 league games for Standard and made himself a regular in the senior Northern Ireland set-up.
The link comes at a time when midfielder Okay Yokuslu’s future remains under the spotlight; Yokuslu has been holidaying following his native Turkiye reaching the quarter finals of Euro 2024 but he could leave the Baggies this summer if a deal can be reached with one of his many suitors.
