Paddy McCourt has set his sights on playing at Anfield as he prepares to complete his move to Albion.
The Northern Ireland winger is expected in the West Midlands for a medical later this week, before signing a three-year contract at The Hawthorns.
The Derry City man is already casting his eye over the Baggies’ fixture list for the new season – especially the trip to Liverpool on November 8.
He said: “I’m a Liverpool fan, as is my whole family, so obviously I’ll be looking to see when we are playing at Anfield.
“I always dreamed of running out at the Kop for Liverpool, but I suppose I have got the next best thing.”
The former Rochdale man, 24, admits the prospective move to Albion is a dream come true.
He said: “I’m looking forward to it, as every player wants to test themselves at the highest level.
“I can’t wait for pre-season training to start and I’m confident I can make an impression.
“Many people say the Premier League is the best in the world, so obviously I’m looking forward to it very much.
“But I would be lying if I said it wasn’t a bit daunting.”
Albion have agreed a deal worth up to £150,000 for McCourt, with reports in Northern Ireland suggesting the sides will also contest a friendly as part of they agreement.
Derry chairman Pat McDaid: “To be fair to the player, he knew that we needed to get a deal which was good for Derry City Football Club.
“Now that everything is agreed with West Brom, myself and everyone at the club would like to wish Paddy well and we hope he does very well for himself.”
33 Comments
Is this bloke any good? Anyone know anything about him?
Boing Boing
and all you albion fans mocked us for signign an unknown winger from a top irish club well i just hope hes beter than s.ward.
Liverpool have Steven Gerrard,Fernando Torres,Gareth Barry waiting to sign for £20,000,000 and a host of top internationals.The albion have Paddy McCourt ex Derry City and Rochdale.Ha Ha Ha.
There’s footage of him on you tube. Looks a promising signing.
Someone will tell me I’m wrong, but if he is as good as the last Paddy we had a certain Mr Mulligan he’ll do for me.
Don’t worry I could go down the local pub and pick out someone better than Ward.
Has been tipped as the next Geroge Best, plays as a winger, very exciting prospect.
3. Albion have a Slovenian international, a lad from Middlesbrough who has played over 100 Premier League games, our captain has been involved with the England set up, we have a former European Golden Boot winner, a Czech international striker, and 2 England under 21 strikers. You have Stephen Ward, Darren Potter and Neill Collins. Hahaha.
did he used to be the lead singer in Supergrass?
i hope you don’t play him when ther’s a full moon.
Hoooooooooooooowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwllllllllllll.
By all accounts a very promising player.
Had lots of premiership and championship clubs sniffing round him when he was at Rochdale but nothing materialised because of injuries, and the same whilest in Ireland apparently…lets just hope he’s recovered now
And ultimately if he’s not up to it in the Premiership on the grand scale of things £150k is peanuts.
Definitely the best and most exciting player currently operating in the League of Ireland and if you look at how some other recruits from over here have got on, it may well be another very shrewd bit of business by TM. Boing Boing.
6. the next george best, if that were the case then why he is going to albion, im sure someone1 elese would have picked him by now
He may have a lot of potential but to say he is going to be the next george best is an insult to the great man himself, don’t forget Manchester United fans don’t see ronaldo as good as george was so what chance has mccourt got!!
If he’s any good he’ll get a game or two. If not we’ll loan him out.
I do think we should be aiming a bit higher though with new signings - Ameobi and Baros - I don’t think so.
I hope he ain’t the new Bestie or we will never get him out of the pub!!!!!
12 - Agree with you entirely…I think McCourt will be one for the future and loaned out 1st of all.
I also think that Ameobi is pants and Baros is not what the Albion are looking for (plus a cheat). We don’t need someone who will put his head down and run himself up blind alleys for no reason. Just ask Diomansky Kamara! We’re a much better all round team since he left.
I heard that he was a real promising player but that his off the field antics were a bit questionable. Perhaps TM can control him - worth a go.
I am led to beleive this guys injury record challenges Tony Daleys!!
Seriously, our midfield options are already plentiful and at £150k its peanuts, especially for the next George Best, sorry Ryan buts lets not do a Mark McGhee and make oursleves look stupid, unless you were inferring he likes a drink!!
Paddys the most talented player to come out of ireland in the last load of years.
he will be a pleasure to watch and he will give you moments of genius in every game he plays.
he goes past defenders as if there not there.
enjoy him while you have as if he performs he will go onto bigger and better things
This player must have bags of confidence if he
can already talk of looking forward to the
Liverpool game.
JUST HEARD THAT IPSWICH HAVE BROUGHT IN SIMON HUNT
SO THERE`S ANOTHER CLUB WHO WILL BE NEAR THE TOP
COME THE END OF THE SEASON.
Derby/Birmingham/Ipswich/Bristol City/Reading/
Crystal Palace.
IF YOU DINGLES RECKON ITS GOING TO BE A CAKE WALK
THEN THINK AGAIN!
HERE`S TO ANOTHER 5 SEASONS IN THE FIZZY POP
LEAGUE!
One for the future……….. he’s 24! By 24 if your any good you need to be in the first team. If he was 19 or 20 I would agree but at 24 you need to be playing in or around the first team.
I’ll trust TM’s judgement he’s not normally wrong.
Boing Boing
Paddy’s a really good player. WBA got him on the cheap. He does go past players easily. He will lose the ball sometimes though which is to be expected but what player doesn’t. He shouldn’t go out on loan. He’s been back in Derry for a couple of seasons and he’ll be much more focused than what he was when he was at Rochdale. Best midfielder in the League of Ireland there’s no reason why he can’t perform to the same level as Hunt and Doyle at their best with Reading. Give him a good run out.
Looks good on youtube, new Stephen Hunt maybe? But i think George Best is going a bit too far, even if he turns out pants, at 150k, who cares!!
The last time MAN CITY won the leugue was in 68 who had a great side remember COLIN BELL MIKE SUMMERBEE but the captain TONY BOOKE caim in to pro football at the age of 29.Isnt it better to find a gem than just bust the bank for one,Im sure even the dingles enjoy watching kites after waisting millions on hasbeens.
TM has made it very clear in all his press dealings that he is building a squad - a squad to sustain us in the Premiership - so players like Paddy, Maris, Tininho etc are all part of that set up to back up the first team and bring on the youth. At 150k at worst he will be a squad player and at best a gem - nothing to lose here and everything to gain.
WBA have got themselves a gem of a player, as for his attitude he knows were he made mistakes in the past and he has wised up. WBA have got a bargain at 150k. sheer quality.
Talkin Pony.
Despite your name, good call on Supergrass.
Stuwolf.
Calm down, I’m sure they only meant he has some natural flair. Of course he’s not another Gearge Best. Saw him play against us many times and talent like that doesn’t come around too often. Best player I’ve ever seen.
West Brom without doubt are getting the most exciting talented player in Ireland. He does things with the ball that will amaze, absoulute gem of a player who will excite at the hawthorns. If he stays fit he is different class, first touch, passing, and ability to go players with ease. One thing you will notice about him far quicker with the ball at his feet than without which is very strange but believe me is true. Will be a big loss at the brandywell and will be missed and hopefully he will do brilliant. He will probably get called into nireland squad now hes not playing for derry but thats another story. Worthington your a joke and should have had him picked before now just cause he plays for derry means nothing. West brom enjoy paddy mc court.
I hope Paddy turns out to be a good buy but his recent injury record is not the best. Also if he is such a promising player how come Derry are letting him go for only 150K? Also, why was it that Rochdale let him go?
Irish league to Premier is a HUGE leap.
are we all forgeting a certain lad from smethwick? doin it the go go way!!!! bring on them who wear the same kit as burnley,or woz it west ham,no i got it scunnie thorpe….only hate them we give the ground too.
Guys- have faith I have watched this guy many times this year and nearly every game he plays scouts from the prem are there to watch. TM has again got in first and taken the chance. He had plenty of clubs from the prem after him before he got injured. He is back at his best now and we have a real gem. Imagine a cross between willie Johnson and George Best and thats what we have, I’m amazed he wasn’t signed earlier but it is a fact that some clubs are scared to take a chance. Harry Rednapp personally watched this lad in the last few weeks, judge for yourself…..
we will silence the kop,we wont silence vile park cuz its already silent aye seal seal boing boing
The more i read about Mccourt the more excited I get. I’ve read that last year Blackburn and Liverpool were on the brink of making an offer when he got injured.
Lostmidlander - I like the thought of cross between wee Willie and George best - now THAT is a billing….
Aussi Baggie, the reason WBA are getting him for 150k is that his contract with Derry was up in November
He’s good but he is so lazy and he’s not going to WBA anymore it’s celtic