Former West Brom, Birmingham City, and Ipswich Town man finds new club after League One release

Former West Brom midfielder Rekeem Harper has reunited with his former manager at Port Vale.

The 24-year-old had been a free agent after leaving Burton Albion at the end of August. Harper had been without a club for 63 days or two months, but now he has a place to call home, at least until the end of the 2024/25 campaign.

Port Vale’s manager is Darren More, who had a near year-long spell in charge at the Hawthorns. Moore used Harper during his time in charge at West Brom. Harper played under him a total of 16 times, and was even afforded a place among the substitute's bench for a Premier League match against Swansea City.

He has signed a deal until the end of the season at Port Vale, who play in League Two. His move is subject to EFL approval, but should everything go through, then he could make his debut against Barnsley in the FA Cup on Saturday.

"Rekeem is a player I’ve been lucky to know for some time and I am delighted we're welcoming him to Vale Park,” said Moore on the official club website.

“His ability to control the midfield and contribute not just in attack but defensively fits perfectly into our plans and what we want to achieve on the pitch. 

“He is a very capable, versatile player who reads the game effectively, I believe he will be a valuable asset for us throughout the season on and off the pitch.”

Born in Birmingham, Harper came through the academy at West Brom after joining at the age of 12. He was in their academy before making his debut for the first-team five years later. He had loan spells at Blackburn Rovers and Birmingham City, before being afforded a bit of a run in the side.

In total, he appeared 42 times for the club, and played 10 times as the club won promotion to the Premier League in 2020. Harper got to plasy twice in the Premier League, but he then left to join Ipswich Town.

His time in Suffolk saw him play 19 times for the Tractor Boys but then loans at Crewe Alexandra and Exeter City followed. Last seaosn he joined Burton Albion and played 34 times across all competitions, helping the Brewers to safety in League One.