Andre Wisdom played Premier League soccer for West Bromwich Albion FC in 2014-15, instead of his parent club, Liverpool FC.
On Saturday, Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers said Wisdom will join West Brom on a season-long loan.
“After today, Andre is going to go on loan to West Brom,” Rodgers told Liverpoolfc.com. “He had a very successful period at Derby last year, he did very well under (manager) Steve McClaren. He now has the opportunity to go to another very good coach in Alan Irvine, who I know from my youth days. He is an excellent coach and West Brom are an excellent club.
“West Brom have been a rising club for the last few years in the Premier League. He’ll go there and it will be another chance for his education and development to continue. He’ll join up with them sooner rather than later and spend the season there on loan. That will be another step for him in his development, playing regularly in the Premier League.”
Wisdom, 21, is a versatile defender who can play at center or right back. Wisdom made his debut for Liverpool in 2013-14, playing 19 games (in all competitions) that season.
Wisdom played 34 games for Derby in 2013-14, helping the Rams reach the Championship (English second division) play-off final — where they missed out on promotion to the Premier League after losing to Queens Park Rangers.
Wisdom also has played for England’s youth national teams at under-16, -19 and -21 levels.
Wisdom will compete with veterans Joleon Lescott, Jonas Olsson and Gareth McAuley and 24-year-old Craig Dawson for playing time in the center of West Brom’s defense. Wisdom could earn the majority of his playing time at right back, where McAuley, Craig Gardner and Chris Baird are his main competitors.
Liverpool hopes Wisdom will be ready to be a regular contributor at Anfield in 2015-16 and beyond after a year of Premier League seasoning with the Baggies.
Photo via LiverpoolFC.com
