How Josh Maja is getting on since leaving West Brom | OneFootball

Josh Maja has had a slow start to life at Le Havre since leaving West Bromwich Albion in the summer

This season, West Bromwich Albion have continued where they left off under James Morrison last time around and, having shifted numerous high-earners from their books, are reaping the rewards of their fine transfer business.

West Brom narrowly survived relegation to League One last campaign courtesy of the heroics of Scottish head coach Morrison, who stepped in after neither Ryan Mason nor Eric Ramsay could get things ticking in the Black Country.

After survival was confirmed, Morrison was rewarded with the permanent position in the Hawthorns dugout, and over the summer, sought to stamp his mark on the club by shifting deadwood and embedding fresh blood.

Nine notable first-team players left the club as a result, with a similar number arriving as their replacements to refresh things around the Hawthorns, with one of those notable departures being that of Josh Maja, who has since found a new club.

Josh Maja was one of nine first-team players to leave West Bromwich Albion this summer

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After barely surviving in the Championship, West Brom were always going to be in for a summer of change.

As it turned out, around nine first-team players left the club, including Jed Wallace, Daryl Dike, Karlan Grant, Joshua Griffiths, Krystian Bielik, Alex Mowatt, Alfie Gilchrist, and Joe Wildsmith, alongside Maja.

The additions of the likes of Jimmy-Jay Morgan, Felix Horn Myhre, Kareem Tunde, and Toby Collyer have gone some way to mitigating those departures, as the Baggies look like early play-off contenders under Morrison despite their huge turnover of players.

Maja, in particular, made 81 appearances across all competitions for the Baggies in three years at the club, and has returned to France with Le Havre, where he has had a slow start to life back in Ligue 1.

Josh Maja has had a slow start to life in France with Le Havre

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Maja, 27, first made a name for himself with Sunderland in League One before joining Bordeaux in January 2019.

He’d make just shy of 100 appearances for the French club before their liquidation, and would return to England on loan on two occasions with Fulham and then Stoke City, before joining West Brom on a free transfer in 2023.

Now back in France with Le Havre, Maja has made four appearances for the Normandy-based outfit so far, starting twice, but failing to find the back of the net as yet.

Teammates with Southampton loanee Elias Jelert and former Aston Villa striker Mbwana Ally Samatta, Maja will be hoping to score his first goal for his new club sooner rather than later to silence any potential critics.

Why West Bromwich Albion won’t be too disappointed by Josh Maja’s departure

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West Brom had offered Maja a fresh contract to remain with the club beyond the expiry of his previous terms, but he would instead choose to leave the club and pursue the opportunity offered to him by Le Havre.

Whilst Morrison would have clearly preferred to keep the Nigerian around, Morgan has made sure his departure hasn't been too sorely felt, with the former Chelsea youngster enjoying an excellent start to life at the Hawthorns, with three goals and three assists in his first seven league appearances.

With Aune Heggebo and Barney Stewart providing strength and depth up top, had Maja stayed, his minutes wouldn't necessarily have even been guaranteed.

His departure, whilst likely frustrating for West Brom at the time, may well be a blessing in disguise in the long run.

James Morrison will be content with his attacking options despite Josh Maja's exit

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West Brom were among the clubs interested in bringing Southampton's Cameron Archer to the club over the summer, but like Maja, he would instead make the move to France, linking up with former boss Will Still at Auxerre.

Morrison clearly wanted another option in the final third over the summer, but on the whole, he will be content with his current crop of options, especially with Morgan's start to life at the club.

Maja's presence certainly wouldn't have made them worse, though the Scottish head coach will have few regrets about the way things panned out, as the Baggies target a place in the Championship