West Bromwich Albion are reportedly close to signing forward Devante Cole, who has recently departed from Barnsley.
Several senior figures, including Devante Cole, left Barnsley at the end of the season. Cole, whose contract at Oakwell expired, has been a free agent but is now set to return to the game.
According to the Express & Star, West Bromwich Albion are poised to sign Cole as they revamp their squad for the new season. He could potentially replace Brandon Thomas-Asante, who is rumored to be moving to Coventry City despite interest from Hull City.
Cole, the son of Premier League legend Andy Cole, began his career at Manchester City. While at the Etihad Stadium, he gained valuable experience through a loan move to Barnsley, where he made his mark in senior football.
Devante Cole left Barnsley at the end of the 2023/24 season. Image: Pete Norton/Getty Images
Devante Cole returned to Barnsley on a permanent basis in 2021 after spending several years in League One with clubs like Doncaster Rovers and Bradford City. He had a strong start to last season but struggled to maintain his scoring form as the campaign wore on, eventually being used more as a substitute in the latter stages.
Following his departure from Barnsley, Cole issued a statement reflecting on his time at the club: “My time at Barnsley has come to an end. I’ve experienced some of the best highs here over the last few years, along with some lows. The group we’ve had has been unreal to play with, and off the pitch, some of the best lads you’ll meet. A big thank you to the staff for always pushing me.”
Cole added, “We were so close, twice, but couldn’t quite get it over the line to end on the high we all wanted. I’ve learned that you can’t please everyone, but that’s life. To the fans who sang my name, I’ll always appreciate and remember that feeling. There’s nothing better than scoring and knowing the hard work you put in on the pitch is appreciated. Barnsley will always hold a special place for me as it’s where I scored my first professional goal. Thank you for everything, DC44.”