Kevin Phillips reacts as Rekeem Harper quits West Brom
We’re delighted to welcome former West Brom striker Kevin Phillips as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at The Hawthorns…
Kevin Phillips isn’t surprised by Rekeem Harper’s decision to quit West Brom to join League One side Ipswich Town last month.
Harper, 21, was in the final year of his contract at The Hawthorns and was farmed out on loan to Championship side Birmingham for the second half of last season.
He played 18 times for Blues as they avoided relegation to the third-tier but after returning to the Baggies, it was decided that it was time for the academy product to move on for good.
After spending time on loan in the Championship at Birmingham and playing somewhat of a role for the Albion in the second-tier, West Brom News asked Phillips if he was surprised by Harper dropping down to League One.
However, he says that he can see Harper playing a big role for Paul Cook’s side in their bid to win promotion from League One next season.
“I’m not really surprised,” Phillips said.
“I think the kid just wants to go and play week in, week out.
“He’ll be joining a side who next season will be challenging [for promotion from League One] and Harper can be a major part of that.
“Ipswich are a big club and he’s going to go there and play and hopefully win matches.”
Harper left West Brom in June having made 42 first-team appearances for the club and scoring two goals.
Only three of those appearances came in the Premier League and as he was in the last year of his contract at the Black Country club, we’re also not surprised to see the central midfielder move on.
In other West Brom news, Jake Livermore could lose the captain’s armband after what happened last week.
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