West Brom hit the jackpot with outstanding free transfer - He made the Baggies tick | OneFootball

The Baggies got sensational value out of Argentine midfielder Claudio Yacob.

West Bromwich Albion have secured many bargain transfers throughout their history.

They were particularly useful during Albion’s eight consecutive season stay in the Premier League between 2010 and 2018.

During that time, one terrific bit of business the Baggies conducted was the arrival of midfielder Claudio Yacob in the summer of 2012.

The Argentine linked up at The Hawthorns on a free transfer following his departure from boyhood outfit Racing Club.

Yacob would go on to be such an imperative figure during his time at B71, adding a protective layer to the defensive line, and helping the club thrive in the top-flight.

Claudio Yacob’s lasting impact at West Brom

Yacob arrived in the West Midlands in July 2012, embarking on his first stint in English football, and he adapted so well to become a fundamental cog in Albion’s machine over six seasons.

Despite Baggies fans not knowing much about the combative midfielder at the time, it didn’t take long for him to showcase what he was all about.

He made his debut on the opening day of the 2012-13 season against Liverpool, where the Baggies trounced the Merseyside outfit 3-0. A hugely impressive display followed throughout the season as Steve Clarke's side secured an eighth-place finish – Yacob played 30 times in the Premier League over the course of that term.

Yacob was far from a stylish footballer. Not renowned for his goals and assists, but his excellent positioning in front of the defensive line, acting as a protective shield and doing a fabulous job with his work rate, tackling and ability to win the ball back on a consistent basis.

The 13/14 season was a more difficult one for the Baggies, narrowly avoiding relegation, but Yacob continued to play an important role, scoring his only league goal for the club in their 1-1 draw with Arsenal.

After a rough 2014-15 season where he played just 20 times under Tony Pulis, the following term saw the twice-capped Argentina international return to his best.

Playing 34 league games and starting 33, Yacob proved his credentials to the Welshman, who regularly picked him in the team for his physical presence and unrelenting commitment to help maintain a resolute defence.

His form saw him rewarded with a two-year contract extension in the summer of 2016, and the 2016/17 campaign was yet another impressive one for Yacob, playing 33 games as the Baggies leaped into the top half of the table.

Yacob’s sixth and final season for the club would end on a sour note though, with the midfielder struggling for playing time under all of Pulis, Alan Pardew and Darren Moore, playing just 16 times. Albion would slump to finish bottom of the Premier League without his presence.

Following relegation, Yacob waved goodbye to The Hawthorns after making 160 appearances in the top-flight, staying in England to join Nottingham Forest.

Claudio Yacob had an impact for West Brom both on and off the pitch

Despite ending on a negative note, Yacob will be remembered at The Hawthorns for all the right reasons: a no-nonsense, dedicated and quality professional, who possessed the mettle to keep Albion competitive at the very top in the heart of midfield.

Yacob was also a bundle of joy to be around too, often playing up to the cameras and offering an uplifting presence to his team-mates.

His infectious personality was caught on camera back in 2024, appearing on a YouTube short for West Brom’s official page. The Argentine outlined his continued love and support for the club for the special memories he made in B71.

The comments from that clip signal how much of a valued and liked figure Yacob was and still is to all connected with West Brom, with the Argentine symbolising everything it meant to wear the famous blue and white stripes.

The chant of 'He’s magic, you know, you’ll never get past Claudio' was always swirling around The Hawthorns when he graced the pitch, and Yacob will undoubtedly go down as one of Albion’s most brilliant bargain buys in their history for his immense contributions.