What is West Brom's stance on signing Kyle Bartley replacement after big Hawthorns news | OneFootball

With EFL veteran Kyle Bartley hanging up his boots due to injury, West Brom remain keen in signing defensive reinforcements

West Brom remain keen on upgrading defensive options following EFL veteran Kyle Bartley's retirement

Having experienced trouble with a major knee injury last Championship season, EFL veteran and West Brom defender Kyle Bartley confirmed his retirement from professional football on Friday morning despite being contracted to the Baggies for one more season.

Having a career that spanned over seven years in a West Brom shirt, Bartley was nailed on to be a part of the Baggies side this season, only to be forced into retirement a day before the kick-off of the Championship season.

Bartley said via the West Brom official club website, "Unfortunately, a knee injury I picked up during last season has led me to make the difficult decision to hang up my boots, despite my best efforts to rehabilitate from it."

The defender went on to say, “I consider myself incredibly lucky to have played the game I love, and it is the highs and lows of football that have helped make me the man I am today."

West Brom's stance on Bartley's replacement

The Baggies have been active in the summer transfer window in defensive areas already, having picked up the likes of former Liverpool man Nathaniel Phillips as well as centre-half George Campbell from the MLS..

However, with West Brom defender Torbjorn Heggem attracting much interest from Italian side Bologna, the Baggies' stance remains clear that, despite Bartley's departure, their shrewd recruitment has made boss Ryan Mason unphased on their depth in their defensive third.

Mason said via the Express & Star that Bartley's exit changed his transfer plans: "No, it doesn't change things because Kyle has not played a pre-season game. He's not played a game of football in a number of months now."

With Bartley seeming to have already been out of Mason's plans for the upcoming season due to being aware of the severity of the 24-year-old's injury, it sure is a sad ending for a player that gave everything to West Brom.

With the Baggies commonly resorting to a back four of Styles, Heggem, Phillips, and Furlong in pre-season, Mason's side has been taking shape ahead of their opening day clash with Blackburn Rovers.

Having spent seven years at the Hawthorns and made over 230 appearances for West Brom in all competitions, the Baggies' recruitment has been spot on in replacing the club veteran.

With Bartley spending the back end of last season in and out of injury, it meant that Mason's plans to upgrade the defence was a clear priority.

The defender featured 31 times in the Championship last season and has been a constant figure in West Brom's side by making over 30 league appearances in six of the seven seasons he spent in the West Midlands.

With Mason's choice of back four having pre-season to gel, the Baggies' defence will be an area to keep a close eye on as the loss of a leader like Bartley may prove to have a great impact.