Cedric Kipre could leave West Brom permanently next year if Cardiff loan is successful
West Brom defender Cedric Kipre could make a permanent move to Cardiff City if his loan in the Welsh capital goes well, according to Joe Chapman.
The Ivorian was a bit-part player last season, making just 14 Championship appearances all season and failing to appear in any of Albion’s last 17 matches.
He finally moved away from the club last Friday (15 July) as he headed to Cardiff on loan, and Chapman told Wales Online that he could well stay once his loan ends.
“Yes [he could stay]. If things work out for him. Equally, he could have a blinder and Albion – if they don’t go up – might need him back next season,” he said.
“Kipre has two years left at Albion and so 12 months from next year. He’ll be 26 by then, too, so it’ll be a big summer for him. He needs to take his chance.”
One final chance
Kipre is not a bad defender at Championship level, but it is fair to say that his move to The Hawthorns has not quite gone to plan.
He signed from Wigan Athletic in 2020 after Albion were promoted to the Premier League, but did not make a single league appearance in his first season.
Sam Allardyce chose to loan him out to Belgian side Charleroi, where he made five appearances before returning to the club.
He struggled to break in to the team under Valerien Ismael, but eventually he managed to secure his place and became a regular at long last.
However, he once again became an outcast under Steve Bruce who preferred the likes of Dara O’Shea and Matt Clarke at the back.
His move to Cardiff should prove to be a success as his time at Wigan showed that he is a very talented defender, but his time at Albion is likely over.
In other West Brom news, Okay Yokuslu has obtained his work permit.