Robert Snodgrass is expected to be unveiled as a West Bromwich Albion player on Friday after boss Sam Allardyce confirmed that he was due at the club’s Walsall training ground for a medical.
Winger Snodgrass, of West Ham United, has been on the fringes of David Moyes’ squad this season and he has been granted a move in order to secure regular minutes elsewhere – that path has led him to The Hawthorns.
Snodgrass, 33, isn’t short on Premier League experience – something Albion as a collective have desperately lacked this season – and he knows plenty of players in the current dressing room.
He is expected to agree to an 18-month deal, provided there are no last minute hiccups. Depending on when the paperwork of his deal is ratified by the footballing authorities, he could travel to Blackpool for the FA Cup third round tie at Bloomfield Road this weekend.
That is at the medical stage,” Allardyce confirmed via Zoom on Thursday afternoon. “As long as the medical goes alright, by tomorrow [Friday] Robert Snodgrass will be a West Bromwich Albion player.
“I am absolutely delighted he has chosen to take up the challenge with us and that we will be adding some much needed Premier League experience and quality into the squad. I’m delighted he has said yes.”
It’ll be more than what Snodgrass can bring to the table in terms of his experience and quality that Albion are set to gain from their recruitment of the Scottish international.
It’s widely known that Snodgrass is a big personality, while remaining a dedicated professional. Those at Aston Villa speak highly of him still after his loan spell there, while he is revered by the likes of England international Declan Rice in the Irons squad.
He tells me recently he has played in central midfield in a left of a three as well as wide left and wide right,” Allardyce continued. “He is flexible in terms of the number of the positions he can play which I think is very important – and I’ve heard from many people he is exceptionally good in the dressing room which is a great bonus on top of his ability.”
As mentioned, Snodgrass is familiar with plenty of Albion names already; Sam Johnstone, Jake Livermore, Matty Phillips and Grady Diangana have all played with him previously, as has coach James Morrison.
Their recommendations and references made Allardyce’s mind up.
“Because of his character he became the first name on my list, and past relationships sometimes work in your favour,” Allardyce added. “David Sullivan, at West Ham, because of the years we spent together was a help in moving the situation on.
When all parties come together as they have done, with Robert committing himself to us as he has, I think it’s a fabulous signing. His character in the dressing room will be very important as will his experience and quality on the pitch.
I am really looking forward to him arriving and hopefully the players will see what quality he has got, and if he can help with the team spirit in the squad that’s going to be great.
“You can tell by his experience and where he has played. He has got great quality and a huge amount of experience, and he never gives up. Hopefully, that will run off on some of the other players. Hopefully, he will lift standards.”.