Jay Rodriguez: West Brom sign striker from Southampton in £12m deal

Last updated on .From the section Footballcomments92

Virgil van Dijk and Jay Rodriguez
Jay Rodriguez (centre) made his England debut against Chile in November 2013

West Bromwich Albion have signed England striker Jay Rodriguez from Southampton for a fee of about £12m.

The 27-year-old has struggled with injuries in his five years at Saints, scoring 32 goals in 126 appearances.

His most prolific season was 2013-14, when he scored 15 Premier League goals and made his only England appearance.

"After one or two 'near misses' I'm absolutely buzzing to be here," Rodriguez - a long-term target for boss Tony Pulis - told the club website.external-link

"The most important thing for any player is to be wanted - and Tony Pulis and Albion have made it clear just how much they have wanted me to join. That's fantastic for any footballer to hear.

"I'm genuinely delighted to be joining a club of Albion's stature. The team is full of top players and it's pretty clear that they are also a great set of lads."

Rodriguez missed the entire 2014-15 season after a serious knee injury and then had ankle surgery in November 2015, making only 16 appearances that season, before netting six goals in 34 appearances last season.

The Burnley-born forward, who left his home town club for Southampton in a reported £7m move in 2012, made his international debut against Chile in November 2013 and was in contention for England's World Cup squad before his knee injury in April 2014.

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92 comments

  • Comment posted by U16695830, at 16:41 2 Jul 2017

    Liverpool must not of known he was for sale

  • Comment posted by Sinned In The Office, at 16:14 2 Jul 2017

    Good luck Jay, hope you can push on again

  • Comment posted by Copshaw True Blues, at 16:12 2 Jul 2017

    If he can stay injury free WBA have got a bargain . IF

  • Comment posted by gunnergetu, at 17:26 2 Jul 2017

    I cant believe some idiot (Melt) would almost wish a player to get injured ie break a leg!! Disgusting attitude. Give the guy a chance, for 12mil he could turn out to be an absolute steal for WBA and I wish him all the best and hope he can stay injury free long term. Mendy at 60mil is silly money for someone untested in this league especially when you have John Stones next to him!

  • Comment posted by solo_baggie, at 16:15 2 Jul 2017

    £12m in the modern market is a good deal depending 100% on if he stays fit. If in 4 years he's played 100+ games then is has to be seen as a good deal.

  • Comment posted by dma84, at 17:25 2 Jul 2017

    Had so much promise, but just hasn't been the same player since his knee injury.

    Best of luck to him, hopefully he can reignite his career with WBA.

  • Comment posted by Regkd, at 16:17 2 Jul 2017

    @melt Even the players featured in that game don't care about the result.

  • Comment posted by Bird, at 16:55 2 Jul 2017

    Melt... is there a way that I can automatically down vote every post you make to save me the trouble of doing it myself?

    What a load of drivel you come out with.

  • Comment posted by Ahnaf, at 16:27 2 Jul 2017

    I seriously hope he gets the rub of the green in terms of injuries at WBA. Very good player who can play in multiple positions as a forward and at 27, his best years are ahead of him. Can easily slot in the WBA first team with his versatility.

    Good Luck.

  • Comment posted by SPL, at 10:41 3 Jul 2017

    57 - check your history son, there was football before the PL era you know. WBA more successful than Chelsea before the PL, might surprise you but a fact

  • Comment posted by Rich, at 07:39 3 Jul 2017

    Good luck Jay. A very decent guy, down to earth and humble, with a ton of talent. Nothing wrong with his fitnessnow, works very hard, he just needs a run in a team to rediscover his confidence. This could be just what he needs.

  • Comment posted by Gary, at 17:22 2 Jul 2017

    Genuinely gutted , I think we've made a big mistake , should have been given more of a run last season , good luck JROD

  • Comment posted by BoingBoingRich, at 08:15 3 Jul 2017

    I remember the Baggies signing Paul Robinson, who was supposed to have a very dodgy knee, which considering his 'robust' style was a bit of an issue, the guy never missed a game! Went onto Bolton and Birmingham, never missed a game! Sometimes, if you handle the player correctly you can avoid past problems. If they have injuries that never clear up, like Micheal Owen, well then it was a failed risk

  • Comment posted by Saint Andyb, at 18:30 2 Jul 2017

    He was never going to get any regular first team playing time at Southampton. Wish him all the best at WBA!

  • Comment posted by SaintMichael, at 17:09 2 Jul 2017

    Good Luck JRod, your move means I need a new home shirt. In the last few games you looked a lot quicker, hope the move works out for you but please don't score against us!

  • Comment posted by pont592, at 16:30 2 Jul 2017

    Hopefully he stays fit and we'll see the best of him again playing regularly, always good for the mutual fan such as myself.

  • Comment posted by McGrory, at 06:26 3 Jul 2017

    Major shock. Southampton sell a player but not to Liverhampton

  • Comment posted by Tranmere4ever, at 18:00 2 Jul 2017

    Melt alias Markbrattrollgeek.

    In your bedroom trolling on every sports HYS winding everyone up with your negative minus zero IQ.

    Their is life outside your bedroom, you are a sad pathetic keyboard troll.

    Wish the BBC would terminate your account, do you realise you are truly detested the most negative flagged comments if they're not removed but then again that's what you get off on.

  • Comment posted by jay orr, at 17:16 2 Jul 2017

    in fairness he has had 1 decent season in 14/15.
    apart from that not much else. may not recover from injury nightmare either.for wba who dont spend much,or have much room for error,this is a risk.

  • Comment posted by starman, at 17:00 2 Jul 2017

    That's a good price at today's rates. The guy was on fire till he got injured. The only thing is he needs regular games and given WBA have Rondon and only play 1 up frony till late on if they're losing, i'm not convinced he'll get the game time he needs.

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