BARNSLEY, ENGLAND - MARCH 21: Devante Cole of Barnsley celebrates after scoring a goal to make it 1-0 during the Sky Bet League One between Barnsley and Sheffield Wednesday at Oakwell Stadium on March 21, 2023 in Barnsley, United Kingdom. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
‘Deal done’ – West Brom beat Middlesbrough and Bristol City to 18-goal bagsman in time for QPR league opener
QPR begin their Championship campaign for the 2024/25 season with the visit of West Brom to Loftus Road next weekend and the Baggies have had a busy week of transfer activity ahead of that meeting.
West Brom finished fifth in the second tier last season, losing the ensuing play-off semi-final to Southampton, with 19 points separating the Midlands outfit and QPR. The two sides played out an entertaining 2-2 draw at Loftus Road in March with the R’s having been defeated 2-0 at the Hawthorns last October.
It’s an enticing start to the Championship season with both sets of fans eager to see new summer signings in competitive action for the first time. Both QPR and West Brom have enjoyed busy summer windows so far, with the R’s rivals confirming their latest addition this week.
Ex Barnsley striker Devante Cole has joined the club on a two-year deal following his release from the League One outfit this summer. The 29-year-old plundered 18 league goals for the Tykes last term and is a major coup for the Championship club, with the player also linked with Middlesbrough, Bristol City and Hull City according to Football League World.
Speaking to West Brom as his move was confirmed on Thursday, Cole said: “I’m really excited to be back in the Championship. It was one of my goals to get back to this division as quickly as possible.
“I’m coming here to Albion off the back of a good season at Barnsley. I’ll bring a lot of hard work to the team and I hope to be a real threat. I’ve got to take my chance when I get it, but when I get my chance, I’m confident I can score goals.”
The striker has faced QPR twice before for Barnsley, in matches during the 2021/22 Championship season. Both appearances were cameos from the bench as the Yorkshire side drew at Loftus Road and won at Oakwell.
The arrival of Cole comes in a week of sale news for West Brom ahead of facing QPR. Defender Conor Townsend has passed a medical at Premier League side Ipswich Town while Brandon Thomas-Asante is poised to join Coventry City, with both those moves reported by Football Insider.
West Brom also confirmed on Thursday that midfielder Okay Yokuslu has completed a move to Turkish side Trabzonspor for an undisclosed fee.
