Albion new man Devante Cole believes the move to The Hawthorns is a “really big opportunity” to showcase his talent on the Sky Bet Championship stage.
The 29-year-old, who left Barnsley in the summer after spending the previous three seasons at Oakwell, has fought his way back to the second tier of English football following spells in the lower leagues and up in Scotland.
Cole bagged 18 goals for the Tykes in 2023/24 and the striker is adamant he can find the net on a regular basis for the Baggies when handed the chance.
Devante said: “I’m really excited to be back in the Championship. It was one of my goals to get back to this division as quickly as possible.
“I’m very happy to be here and I’m excited to get going.
“I’m coming here to Albion off the back of a good season at Barnsley. I’ll bring a lot of hard work to the team and I hope to be a real threat.
“I’ve got to take my chance when I get it, but when I get my chance I’m confident I can score goals.
“This, for sure, is an opportunity for me to make my mark. I’m 29 now so this is a really big opportunity for me to kick on in the next few years.
“I think the fans can expect a lot of hard work from me. I haven’t really missed many games over the last few years.
“I’ll always do my best for the team, but on an individual level I’m quick, I’ll also look to score goals and I’d like to think I’m a threat.
“Looking at last season, Albion finished in the play-offs and I was in the play-offs myself in the division below with Barnsley. Coming in, I’d love to bring goals to the team and speaking to a few of the boys, the target will be play-offs again so hopefully we can achieve that.”
The frontman has been keeping fit at the PFA’s residential camp for out-of-contract players, a place fellow summer signing Joe Wildsmith spent time at before joining Carlos Corberán’s squad.
Wildsmith is one of a few members of the Baggies squad who Devante knows and he hopes he’ll be settling into life at his new club very quickly.
He said: “I left Barnsley at the end of my contract and it’s been a longer off-season for me than normal, but I’ve been at the PFA pre-season camp over the last few weeks.
“I’ve been trying to keep myself fit as best as I can and I’m glad I’ve now got the opportunity to be here.
“I know Joe Wildsmith from the PFA’s camp and I know Swifty having played with him at England in the younger age groups.
“I know Alex Mowatt from playing against him plenty of times and he was obviously at Barnsley too. I also know Kyle Bartley through a few mutual friends as well.
“You come across lots of people in football so hopefully I’ll be able to settle in quickly.”
