Brandon Thomas-Asante swapped the Peninsula Stadium for the Hawthorns in August for a reported £300,000 fee. The forward had many potential suitors in the summer with a number of clubs interested, but West Bromwich Albion won the race for his signature.
But how has he got on since leaving Salford City?
The 24-year-old signed for the Ammies in 2019 from Ebbsfleet United. He arrived in Manchester ahead of the 2019/20 season – Salford’s maiden campaign in Sky Bet League Two. Thomas-Asante made 20 league appearances in his first season and in the following campaign, he only missed four league games as Salford narrowly missed out on the play-offs.
One of his most memorable moments in a Salford shirt would have been their Papa John’s Trophy final win over Portsmouth. After the tie ended 0-0, the game went to penalties and Thomas-Asante was one of the successful penalty takers.
He began to catch the eye of other clubs last season when he netted on 11 occasions in 39 League Two games. Come the summer, the former MK Dons youth player was set to be a wanted man and a host of Championship and League One sides were keen on his services.
West Brom sealed the deal on Deadline Day as Thomas-Asante penned a three-year contract. He made the perfect first impression in the West Midlands as he came off of the bench on his debut to score a last-minute equaliser against Burnley.
He has gone from strength to strength for the Magpies and at the time of writing he has notched seven goals in his first season in the second tier. It is certainly thought to be one of the hardest divisions in English football, showing Thomas-Asante has adapted well since his arrival.
One of his most memorable moments in a blue and white shirt so far came in December. In a 2-0 home victory over Stoke City, he scored an incredible overhead kick which flew into the corner. This goal emphasised Thomas-Asante’s quality and why West Brom spent a six-figure fee to bring him to the club.
With two games remaining in the Championship this season, the Baggies still have a chance to finish in the play-offs. They have improved under Carlos Corberán after a dismal start to the season which saw them sit in the relegation zone after an eight-game winless run in the league.
Writer’s view
Thomas-Asante is a superb forward and is another example that players from non-league can rise through the divisions and play at a much higher level.
The Baggies could scrape into the play-offs, and Thomas-Asante could be the man to boost that cause.
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