West Bromwich Albion confirmed yesterday evening that James McClean had completed a permanent move to fellow relegated Stoke City.
All the very best, @JamesMcC_14 ????????#WBAhttps://t.co/UhaShkGjAC
— West Bromwich Albion (@WBA) July 22, 2018
Speculation about this deal had been high for a while and it was clear something would happen given he threw a strop, but the 29-year-old has long been a controversial figure and plenty struggled to take to him at The Hawthorns even though he undoubtedly gave everything on the pitch.
Either way, he brings the curtain down on his time at the club having made 66 starting appearances for us, with an additional 46 showings from the bench. In that time he contributed five goals.
With plenty happy at his ‘undisclosed’ departure, Stoke City’s announcement gave us a little more info and having signed him for a reported £1.5million and despite him wanting out, we have secured the best possible deal at their expense.
They report he has signed for them after a £5million fee was agreed, and add-ons will take it to £6million. Not a bad bit of business if I do say so myself.
How many goals & assists from him last season? How many points lost due to goals conceded from free kicks given away by him with needless & reckless challanges? Check the figures mate. Yeah, he works hard & runs a lot but has no quality either end of the pitch. As neither do I ????
— IsMyBTBroadbandWorkingToday? (@IsMyBTBroadban1) July 22, 2018
Love McClean gonna miss him such a hard worker
— Callum Mullin (@CallumMullin4) July 22, 2018
Thanks almost single handley relegating us with your stupid free kicks costing us goals i can think of at least 6 point #headless ????
— leigh southall (@leighwbafc) July 22, 2018
All the best James. Thank you for being as much use as tits on a fish
— loyalwestbrom (@loyalwestbrom) July 22, 2018
All baggage aside, you were an average footballer who showed his true colours at the end. Hopefully you will clatter in to some Albion players & give away a few silly free kicks for us rather than against us.
— Gavin Poulton (@gavin_poulton) July 22, 2018
Happpy days ????????????????????????
— ???? DOOD ⚪️ (@RudeDoody) July 22, 2018
yippee! so glad about this…McLean was one of the reasons we went down last year…how many free kicks did he give away that lead to goals? Rowett needs his head examining!
— nick grant (@Baggienickjg) July 22, 2018
Cheerio.
— graham langford (@grahamlangford2) July 22, 2018
Good riddance
— Dan (@Danwba1) July 22, 2018
Could never fault the guys effort. Ironic really that when we drop to a division more his level he leaves. Hopefully a more talented replacement can be found.
— Dave Neale???????????????????????????? (@baggiedave70) July 22, 2018
Now sell Dawson
— Kris Ward (@kriswardh) July 22, 2018
Most Controversial Signing in the clubs by far . Which ever way you look at it. . It divided the fans for all the wrong reasons. Most of them nothing to do with Football. . Pullis and the club knew what they were doing when he came in .. players come and go . Rant over. Coyb
— Dean Bamford (@DeanBamford5) July 22, 2018
Wheeey … ???????????????????????? best news of the day
— Davo (@alb1on68) July 22, 2018