Adam Reach signs for West Bromwich Albion after departure from Sheffield Wednesday

Adam Reach has become West Bromwich Albion’s third summer signing after penning a three-year deal at The Hawthorns.

The 28-year old left Sheffield Wednesday in May following the Yorkshire club’s relegation to League One.

Reach amassed 231 appearances for Wednesday after joining the club for a fee reported to be around £5 million in 2016.

Born in Chester-le-Street, it was at local side Middlesbrough where Reach progressed through the academy ranks and made his mark in the professional game.

Despite only being 19 years of age when making his Boro debut against Doncaster in 2011, Reach made an instant impact by scoring the final goal in a 3-0 win.

A call-up to the England under-19 squad would be the reward for Reach’s positive start to his professional career before joining Darlington on loan at the beginning of the 2011/2012 campaign.

After appearing at the under-20s FIFA World Cup in 2013, he would head out on loan to Shrewsbury Town and Bradford City throughout the 2013/2014 season and won plaudits at both then League One sides.

The 2014/2015 season would prove to be a major one in Reach’s career as then-Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka provided the local lad with an opportunity to secure a place in the starting lineup.

Reach played 40 times for his hometown club and helped them reach the Championship play-off final, scoring two goals and registering six assists in the process.

In spite of scoring his first goal of the new season just five games into the 2015/2016 campaign, the winger would only start two of the first 11 fixtures as he dropped down the pecking order on Teesside.

He was therefore allowed to join Preston North End on loan where he once again displayed his second-tier credentials by making 35 appearances in a variety of positions.

With the prospect of regular football in the Premier League improbable after Boro’s promotion to the top-flight, Wednesday would win the race for Reach’s signature.

He would play a key role in Carlos Carvalhal’s side posting a fourth-place finish as the Owls lost out to local rivals Huddersfield in the play-off semi-finals.

An increase in responsibility would follow as Reach played every match of the 2017/2018 Championship season, as he returned 15 direct goal contributions.

While Reach matched his figures from the previous campaign with another 15 contributions, he would win a number of Goal of the Month awards after developing a reputation for netting spectacular strikes from range. Goals against Leeds United and his new club being two examples.

Albion manager Valérien Ismaël claimed that he was impressed with Reach last season, despite not being able to help Wednesday beat the drop.

 “I know Adam from last season when we played Sheffield Wednesday with Barnsley.

“We recognised straight away that he was one of the players who were able to adapt the intensity of play.

“He has big quality on the left side, a great mentality and is very dangerous with his crosses. He has the attributes we need – the mentality, the philosophy, the press and a never-give-up attitude.”

Reach meanwhile could not hold back his excitement at having the chance to play under Ismaël and mount a promotion challenge.

“I think my physical attributes allow me to work hard and work at a high intensity throughout the game. Physically, I am ready to do that and mentally I am looking forward to learning the manager’s style.

“I know that the manager is going to demand a lot from me physically, but I’m really excited for that.

“It’s definitely going to be the biggest challenge of my career, but it’s also the most exciting one.

The Baggies kick-off their return to the Championship on Friday night with a visit to the Vitality Stadium to face Scott Parker’s Bournemouth.

Fellow additions Alex Mowatt and Matt Clarke will also be looking to make their debuts for the club, though wantaway star Matheus Pereira will be absent from the matchday squad.

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