West Brom signed Southampton forward Jay Rodriguez in July 2017 in a £12m deal.
The once capped England international had had a mixed career at St Mary’s, which varied from earning an international cap to missing an entire season to injury.
The Saints clearly did not want to hold on to a player that would be so injury prone, and decided to unload him to fellow Premier League club West Brom.
The Baggies were more than happy to take the forward, with many fans taking to Twitter to praise the transfer. Although some objected to the price and Rodriguez’s checkered past with injuries, fans were nonetheless happy with the transfer.
This is what the fans had to say:
https://twitter.com/baggyboy1878/status/881529066297360385
Absolute hero is what he is
— Kyle Hughes (@xHughesy) July 2, 2017
And now it begins!
— Conner Swingle (@ConnerSwingle7) July 2, 2017
Good Luck Jay! A shame he’s had all these Injuries but hopefully he finds his former and gets more England call ups. Baggies a good Club!
— Paul Phillip Lum (@_PapaulskiBCFC_) July 2, 2017
So glad you are wba player
— John Wilson (@JohnJw428) July 2, 2017
Welcome to my beloved club Jay. We’re a pretty good bunch. Do your best and we’ll love you . Ask yer mate @ShaneLong7
— Sandra Hughes (@phoenixbaggie) July 2, 2017
Best of luck for your Baggies future
— Graham Cox (@GrahamC83870900) July 2, 2017
Welcome Jay, great signing!
— Nigel Oliver (@nigeoli) July 2, 2017
Welcome to WBA Jay! We hope that your career with us is fruitful and without major injury as you have been unfortunate in the past
— DeanH (@DeanDjh1976) July 2, 2017
A year and a half later and it’s been another mixed bag for Rodriguez in Birmingham. Fortunately for the fans, the 29-year-old has remained injury free. However, he was unable to prevent the club being relegated last season.
Despite The Baggies’ relegation, Rodriguez remained a consistent performer, only missing one game in the league all season.
But it is this season in the Championship where Rodriguez has shown how important to the club, forming a fearsome strike partnership with Dwight Gayle, as Darren Moore’s men sit near the top of the table.
Rodriguez and Gayle remain two of the top scorers in the league, as the club hope to be back in the top flight next season.
So far, fans seem to have got what they wanted from the man.
