West Bromwich Albion have signed forward, Devante Cole on a free transfer.
Cole has spent the last three seasons at Barnsley where he managed 36 goals in 129 appearances, with 34 of his 36 goals netted in the last two seasons (16 in 2022-23 & 18 in 2023-24).
The 29 year-old however left the Tykes at the end of his contract in June and has joined West Brom as a free agent, having signed a two-year contract with the Baggies until June 2026.
Speaking about his move to The Hawthorns, Cole can’t wait to play second-tier action for the first time since 2021-22 season, in which Barnsley suffered relegation just one season after they had reached the promotion play-offs.
“I’m really excited to be back in the Championship. It was one of my goals to get back to this division as quickly as possible.
“I’m coming here to Albion off the back of a good season at Barnsley. I’ll bring a lot of hard work to the team and I hope to be a real threat.
“I’ve got to take my chance when I get it, but when I get my chance, I’m confident I can score goals.”
Manager, Carlos Corberan added: “I would like to welcome Devante to the club. Devante is an energetic, hardworking striker who also has pace.
“He arrives after scoring goals in League One last season and will provide further attacking competition to the squad.”
Cole began his career at Manchester City where he made no senior appearances, but enjoyed loan stints at Barnsley and MK Dons with 10 goals in 37 appearances, followed by six months at Bradford in which he managed six goals in 24 outings.
The Cheshire-born forward then went on to score 22 goals in two years at Fleetwood Town, followed by stints at Wigan, Burton Albion and Doncaster – with the latter coming either side of two spells at Motherwell before he re-joined the Tykes.