Karlan Grant instantly reacts as West Brom confirm first January transfer
West Brom have finally given Eric Ramsay what he needed in the transfer market.
Josh Griffiths has been West Brom’s number one since Ramsay took the job, conceding eight goals in the manager’s first two matches.
However, it looks like the dilemma that plagued Ryan Mason’s time in the Black Country has come to an end.
The Hawthorns outfit have now announced their first signing, and it is one that will excite the fanbase, given Griffiths’ struggles.
Who have West Brom brought in?
West Brom were pushing with a deal for Max O’Leary, who was Bristol City’s starting goalkeeper last season.
He has since lost his place at Ashton Gate to Manchester United loanee Radek Vitek, and therefore, sought a move away.
The Baggies announced that O’Leary has joined on 22 January, saying: “We’re delighted to announce the signing of Max O’Leary from Bristol City!
“Welcome to the Albion, Max!”
Karlan Grant reacted within 10 minutes of the post going live, liking the announcement of Albion’s first addition of the window.
Will O’Leary go straight into the line-up for Derby clash?
It all depends on one thing: whether he was registered as an Albion player by midday on Thursday.
That is because EFL rules state that all registration documentation must be submitted to them by 12 pm on the day before the game if a player is to play in a game after signing.
Given that the Baggies face Derby County on Friday evening, they may not have gotten the required paperwork done in time.
They may have already completed all the bureaucratic stuff and just sorted media duties later in the day, though, so only time will tell whether he can face John Eustace’s side.
| Stats | O’Leary (Championship) |
| Matches | 157 |
| Clean sheets | 37 |
| Goals conceded | 192 |
Either way, it is an exciting addition, as O’Leary has plenty of Championship experience and should give solidity to a position where the B71 club have struggled desperately so far this season.
The 29-year-old was the number one for three seasons for the Robins, and he has featured over 150 times in the second-tier, with a solid record in that time.
One thing is for sure, he is an upgrade on Griffiths and Joe Wildsmith, and should help the West Midlands outfit to stay in the division, rather than worrying about a relegation fight that it looked like they would be dragged into.
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