Kyle Bartley’s West Brom career in numbers as defender retires from football
Kyle Bartley has just announced that he will be leaving West Brom after seven seasons of service.
The centre-back has confirmed his retirement from professional football, following a 16-year career that has taken him from a debut for Arsenal in the Champions League, through to The Hawthorns.
Bartley had just one year remaining on his contract at West Brom, which had prompted speculation surrounding a potential exit, and he has now decided to step away of his own accord.
Bartley’s Baggies career ends on 232 appearances
Bartley has been a staple in the Baggies’ side over the last few years, but his time in B71 has felt like it has been drawing towards a natural conclusion this summer.
The arrival of Nat Phillips, who was impressive during a loan spell with Derby last term, looks set to have pushed the defender out of the starting XI, and at 34, that is always likely to pose a decision regarding your future in the game.
Bartley has cited the knee injury that he picked up last season as one of the key factors behind his decision, and told the club’s website (8 August) that “Albion will always hold a particularly special place in his heart.”
- Bartley’s final West Brom stats
- Appearances – 32
- Goals – 15
- Seasons – 7
- Promotions – 1
- Minutes – 18,377
His seven-year stint with the Baggies saw him pull on the famous blue and white stripes on 232 occasions, with 30 of those appearances coming in the Premier League.
He was a vital part of Slaven Bilic’s promotion-winning team that restored the club’s top-flight status in 2019/20, and he has been a reliable option throughout his time at The Hawthorns.
Bartley netted 15 goals in West Brom’s colours, and wore the captain’s armband on several occasions.
The 34-year-old has been a key part of a defence which has been largely watertight over the last few campaigns, and his presence will be sorely missed for Ryan Mason and Co. this term.
West Brom must ensure they keep Heggem now
West Brom have been trying to fend off interest in Torbjorn Heggem from Bologna in recent weeks, and it has now become even more important that they keep hold of him.
The Norwegian is one of the key cogs in Mason’s side, and with Bartley’s announcement coming a matter of hours before their return to competitive action, the new boss really cannot afford to lose another centre-back so quickly.
The Italian giants are continuing to show an interest in the Baggies’ star, but he simply cannot be allowed to leave at the moment.
Sign up for the West Brom News WhatsApp channel and turn on notifications to have all the latest, breaking West Bromwich Albion news sent straight to your phone.