Exclusive: Don Goodman makes regret claim as West Brom player closes in on move to EFL rival | OneFootball

Don Goodman has told FLW his verdict on Semi Ajayi's potential move to Hull City

Don Goodman believes that West Brom will have no regrets in allowing Semi Ajayi to sign for a Championship rival amid his pending Hull City switch.

It was reported by Hull Live last weekend that the 31-year-old was expected to sign for the Tigers this summer.

The Nigerian departed Albion at the end of the season, and is free to discuss terms with a new club for the upcoming campaign.

The defender featured just 15 times in the Championship last term, with West Brom finishing ninth in the table.

Don Goodman's Semi Ajayi transfer claim

Goodman highlighted Ajayi’s fall down the pecking order, as well as his injury issues, as a major part of why West Brom won’t regret letting Ajayi go.

He believes the Midlands outfit will wish the centre-back well, having been a good servant for the club in his six years at the Hawthorns.

“So as good a servant Semi Ajayi has been for West Bromwich Albion, I don’t think they’ll probably have regrets on allowing him to move,” Goodman exclusively told Football League World.

“The last three seasons he’s played 22, 26 and last season, just 15 games for West Brom.

“Particularly suffered with injuries last season, he’s going to be 32 in the back-end of this year, so you kind of get the feeling that West Brom want to move on, and will no doubt wish him well if he ends up at Hull City, or wherever he ends up for that matter.”

Semi Ajayi’s importance to West Brom

Ajayi signed for West Brom in the 2019 summer transfer window, and immediately cemented himself as a key part of the side, making 43 Championship appearances that season.

He helped the Baggies gain promotion, with the side coming second in the table, but they ultimately suffered relegation from the Premier League at the first attempt.

His game time steadily declined in recent seasons, making a total of 63 appearances in the league across the last three years, and was unlikely to feature much under new manager Ryan Mason.

Semi Ajayi’s time at West Brom came to a natural end

Ajayi proved a solid addition for West Brom, and he served the club well during his time at the Hawthorns.

However, his time came to a natural end with the conclusion of the previous campaign.

Given his injury record and his age, it was time for him to move on, even if he can still compete at this level.

There’s every chance he’ll perform well for Hull, provided a deal gets over the line, so this is a situation that might just work out for all parties.