West Brom lauded for sensational free transfer of 160 PL appearance midfielder – “He did everything you could ask for” | OneFootball

FLW’s West Brom fan pundit has reflected on how fantastic Albion’s signing of Claudio Yacob was.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Over their history, West Brom have secured many fantastic bargain transfers, and the arrival of Claudio Yacob is definitely placed up there as one of the best.

The Argentine linked up at The Hawthorns on a free transfer following his departure from boyhood outfit Racing Club in the summer of 2012, and was particularly useful during Albion’s eight consecutive season stay in the Premier League between 2010 and 2018.

Despite Baggies fans not knowing much about the combative midfielder at the time, it didn’t take long for him to showcase what he was all about.

He made his debut on the opening day of the 2012-13 season against Liverpool, where the Baggies trounced the Merseyside outfit 3-0. A hugely impressive display followed throughout the season as Steve Clarke's side secured an eighth-place finish – Yacob played 30 times in the Premier League over the course of that term.

The 2013/14 season was a more difficult one for the Baggies, narrowly avoiding relegation, but Yacob continued to play an important role, scoring his only league goal for the club in their 1-1 draw with Arsenal.

After a rough 2014-15 season where he played just 20 times under Tony Pulis, the following term saw the twice-capped Argentina international return to his best.

Playing 34 league games and starting 33, Yacob proved his credentials to the Welshman, who regularly picked him in the team for his physical presence and unrelenting commitment to help maintain a resolute defence.

His form saw him rewarded with a two-year contract extension in the summer of 2016, and the 2016/17 campaign was yet another impressive one for Yacob, playing 33 games as the Baggies leaped into the top half of the table.

Yacob’s sixth and final season for the club would end on a sour note though, with the midfielder struggling for playing time under all of Pulis, Alan Pardew and Darren Moore, playing just 16 times. Albion would slump to finish bottom of the Premier League without his presence.

Following relegation, Yacob waved goodbye to The Hawthorns after making 160 appearances in the top-flight, staying in England to join Nottingham Forest.

Renowned as a much loved figure at The Hawthorns, our West Brom fan pundit has reflected on his impact in the blue and white stripes.

Claudio Yacob, West Brom transfer is a reflection of what the club used to be

Speaking to Football League World, West Brom fan pundit Callum Burgess lauded the free transfer of Claudio Yacob, believing “he did everything you could ask for”, and it showed the type of club used to be that saw them have roaring success in the top-flight.

Callum said: “Yacob was definitely a very important part of Albion’s most successful season in the 2012-13 season under Steve Clarke when we finished eighth in the Premier League and it being our highest finish there for quite a while.

“We had Romelu Lukaku up front, Gareth McAuley and Ben Foster at the back, in midfield we had Mulumbu and Yacob, who held the team in the middle of the park, and I think he (Yacob) did everything that you could ask for a defensive midfielder.

“He was fantastic at breaking up play and winning the ball back, definitely a very important player for us and to get that sort of player on a free transfer resembles what type of club Albion used to be, finding gems for cheap and then getting them to produce at the top end of English football, you couldn’t ask for more really.”

Claudio Yacob will go down as one of West Brom’s greatest bargain buys

When looking back on some of West Brom’s greatest-ever bargain buys, the likes of Gareth McAuley, Zoltan Gera and Darren Fletcher spring to mind, as well as the addition of Claudio Yacob.

Despite ending on a negative note, Yacob will be remembered at The Hawthorns for all the right reasons: a no-nonsense, dedicated and quality professional, who possessed the mettle to keep Albion competitive at the very top in the heart of midfield.

Yacob was far from a stylish footballer. Not renowned for his goals and assists, but his excellent positioning in front of the defensive line, acting as a protective shield and doing a fabulous job with his work rate, tackling and ability to win the ball back on a consistent basis.

The chant of 'He’s magic, you know, you’ll never get past Claudio' were always swirling around The Hawthorns when he graced the pitch, and Yacob will undoubtedly go down as one of Albion’s most brilliant bargain buys in their history for his immense contributions.

Fast-forward to the modern day, and Albion fans will be hoping their current hierarchy can replicate some of these deals in order for them to realise their Premier League ambitions once again.