Kiely signs return to Albion
New-boy Dean Kiely has set his sights on becoming a Hawthorns hit second time around - after revealing he used to be an Albion schoolboy.New-boy Dean Kiely has set his sights on becoming a Hawthorns hit second time around - after revealing he used to be an Albion schoolboy. The veteran keeper signed an 18-month deal with the Baggies last night after completing his move from Portsmouth on a free transfer. In joining Albion, Kiely admitted his career had come full circle after starting out at The Hawthorns in the early 1980s before progressing to the FA School of Excellence at Lilleshall and moving on to Coventry in 1987 as a pro. The 36-year-old has since enjoyed spells with York, Bury, Charlton and Portsmouth, but said he was looking forward to getting his teeth into his new challenge. "I wasn't playing at Portsmouth and I'm all about playing football," said Kiely, who played for Luton in Albion's last home game. Read the full story in the Express & Star
The veteran keeper signed an 18-month deal with the Baggies last night after completing his move from Portsmouth on a free transfer.
In joining Albion, Kiely admitted his career had come full circle after starting out at The Hawthorns in the early 1980s before progressing to the FA School of Excellence at Lilleshall and moving on to Coventry in 1987 as a pro.
The 36-year-old has since enjoyed spells with York, Bury, Charlton and Portsmouth, but said he was looking forward to getting his teeth into his new challenge.
"I wasn't playing at Portsmouth and I'm all about playing football," said Kiely, who played for Luton in Albion's last home game."I enjoyed my time at Portsmouth and took a lot of satisfaction in helping them get out of trouble last season. But it was time for a move and time for a change and this has worked out perfectly for me.
"My parents live in Warwick and, many, many years ago, I was here as a schoolboy. It was actually West Brom who put me forward to the national school, so I owe them.
"Johnny Giles was the manager and there was Nobby Stiles and 'Bomber' Brown. For me, it just feels right to be here. I'm really relishing the challenge."
Kiely signed in time to face Plymouth tonight and will compete with Pascal Zuberbuhler for the No 1 jersey. And Kiely is determined to ensure the final 12 months of his contract are in the Premiership.
"I want to make a contribution to something that's going forward and ultimately be back in the Premier League," he said.
Kiely's arrival is likely to spell the end of the suspended Russell Hoult's Albion career.