Eric Ramsay on verge of first new signing as West Brom beat Derby to permanent transfer
West Brom look set to finally improve their goalkeeping crisis this window.
There has been controversy surrounding Josh Griffith’s performances recently, and Eric Ramsay seems to prefer the shot-stopper over Joe Wildsmith.
Before he was sacked, Ryan Mason was opting to play Wildsmith, which caused uproar from West Brom supporters, but Griffiths may not have justified his place in the side yet.
Shilen Patel is restricted to what he can spend this month; however, the Baggies appear to be getting the business done, with Max O’Leary seemingly headed for The Hawthorns.
West Brom beat Derby County to permanent Max O’Leary signing
West Brom have been in the market for a new goalkeeper this month, but now finally look to have landed one.
According to Sky Sports Lyall Thomas on Thursday, the Baggies are set to announce the signing of Bristol City’s O’Leary on a permanent deal.
The 29-year-old’s contract with Bristol City was due to expire at the end of the season, but West Brom have snatched him up on a six-month deal, with the fee yet to be disclosed.
- O’Leary has played five times for Bristol City this camapign
- He’s kept two clean sheets
- The shot-stopper has made 162 appearances in total for Bristol City
The Albion have beaten off competition from Derby County, while pipping Blackburn Rovers and QPR in the chase for the Irishman.
It’s potentially a really shrewd piece of business from Patel and Co., with the goalkeeper coming to West Bromwich as a number one who carries a wealth of Championship experience.
O’Leary can offer West Brom composure when playing out from the back; the stats prove it
O’Leary is currently being kept out of Gerhard Struber’s side by Manchester United loanee Radek Vitek, but that’s not a reflection on his own performances.
The keeper made his debut for the Republic of Ireland in 2025, bagging a clean sheet in his country’s 0-0 draw with Luxembourg.
O’Leary played every single match for Bristol City in the Championship last campaign and averaged 2.54 saves per 90 minutes.
He’s a goalkeeper who likes to have the ball at his feet, and recorded a 31.4 per cent long ball accuracy last season, which could help the Baggies when building out from the back.
O’Leary is a real coup for the Albion, and he’ll push Griffiths and Wildsmith to up their games.
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