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West Brom have bagged a coup by signing veteran star for free and it could aid their promotion bid for sure

Why West Brom have done well by signing Gareth Barry on a short-term deal

According to a report from the BBC, Gareth Barry has rejoined West Brom on a short-term contract until the end of the season.

The 38-year-old midfielder, who arrived at the Hawthorns from Everton in 2017, played a key role for the Baggies last year before being forced to go under the knife to solve a persistent knee issue late in the season.

Gareth Barry’s previous deal expired in June but he has been training with the club while recovering from injury.

Having regained fitness after undergoing surgery on the injured knee, Barry’s addition to the West Brom side represents a smart move from Slaven Bilic.

Gareth Barry in action for West Brom. (Getty Images)
Gareth Barry in action for West Brom in 2017. (Getty Images)

After missing out on promotion in the play-offs last season, West Brom have made a promising start to their new campaign under Bilic. They returned to top spot in the Championship table on Monday night after beating Stoke City 2-0 at the bet365 Stadium.

If the Baggies are to go that one step further this year, Bilic has to keep his squad fresh throughout the season. And a player in the ilk of Barry could have a huge say in the club’s promotion to the top-flight.

Barry is a solid player and even though he’s in the twilight of his career, he’s still capable of making an impact in the Championship as evident from his performances last season.

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The veteran midfielder is just returning from an injury, meaning it could take a few matches to get back up to speed and the intensity of the Championship.

The former England international can still be a crucial player for Albion and they are lucky to have a player of his ability and experience in the squad.

Verdict

If West Brom go up, it remains to be seen if Barry will stay at the Hawthorns to add to his Premier League record of 653 appearances. Even if the defensive midfielder doesn’t play many games this season, the youngsters at the club would learn a lot from him.