Released West Brom man joins League Two club after summer transfer exit

Former West Brom defender Martin Kelly is reportedly working with a League Two club in a coaching capacity following his exit from the Hawthorns this summer.

The 34-year-old was one of 14 players that were released by the Baggies this summer, and so far he has not found a new team to play for. Instead, according to Alan Nixon on his Patreon page, Kelly is assisting former Oxford United, and MK Dons boss Karl Robinson at League Two club Salford City. It’s unsure at this stage, whether that is with a view of getting back playing, or preparing for his next step’s when he hangs up the boots.

Kelly endured a difficult season in his final year with West Brom, spending the majority of the season out with an injury. A knee injury put him on the sidelines for eight months, and and then in February, it was reported a muscle injury, would sideline him for between eight to 10 weeks, which put to an end his career at WBA.

He left the club having made seven appearances in total. Despite his lack of game time, it is believed that he was a popular figure around the coaching staff and his teammates.

After his departure from the club was confirmed, Kelly penned a message to the club and it’s supporters on Instagram, and said “I would like to thank all the fans, staff and players at West Bromwich Albion for the support throughout the last two seasons.

“Although my time was difficult at times with my knee injury, the staff worked as tirelessly as I did to get back to a player where I feel back to my optimal fitness.

“I’ve met some great people at West Brom and wish you all the success in the future. Keep having that fantastic togetherness and I’m sure you will be back where you belong in the Premier League.”

For Salford, or any club who gets Kelly potentially as a player, they will get a defender that has had a decent amount of experience in the Premier League. He came through Liverpool's youth academy, and made 62 appearances for them, winning the Carabao Cup.

Kelly later joined Crystal Palace in 2014, and appeared 148 times for them, the most of any club he's been at during his career. He was an FA runner-up with the Eagles in 2016,