The final hours of the transfer window have seen many players get released from their contracts so that they are able to find a club more easily once the window shuts.
One player who has been released is Devante Cole. But, unlike many others, the 30-year-old has already found himself a new home.
Devante Cole Set To Sign For Port Vale
Cole has cancelled his contract at West Bromwich Albion in order to secure a move to League One newcomers Port Vale, the club have announced via their official website.
The striker started his career at Manchester City, though he never made an appearance for the first team.
Whilst contracted to the Cityzens, he spent time out on loan at Barnsley and Milton Keynes Dons.
Following his release by City, he had a short spell at Bradford before moving to Fleetwood Town.
The frontman made 94 appearances for the Fishermen, with his most prolific season being the 2017/18 campaign. Cole scored a very impressive 10 goals and provided four assists in 28 league games before moving to Wigan Athletic midway through the season.
His time in Wigan was short-lived and unsuccessful, with unimpressive spells at Burton Albion, Motherwell and Doncaster Rovers following.
Cole returned to the Scottish side in October 2020 and lit up the Scottish Premiership. The striker scored 11 goals and made five assists in 27 league games, but left the Steelmen in the summer of 2021 to return to Barnsley.
His first season with the Tykes, in the championship, was a resounding failure. But the English-born striker thrived in League One.
In the two seasons that he spent in the third tier with Barnsley, Cole scored 15 and 18 goals respectively, whilst hardly missing a game.
He moved to West Brom last summer, but has played just 152 league minutes for the Baggies.
Will Cole Successfully Replace Lorent Tolaj?
The main reason that Port Vale have signed a striker so late in the window is because of the slightly unforeseen departure of star striker Lorent Tolaj.
The 23-year-old arrived at Vale Park last summer after impressing in the National League for Aldershot Town. The Swiss striker effortlessly adapted to League Two football, scoring 15 times and assisting nine goals to fire his new team to promotion.
This led to Tolaj moving to Plymouth Argyle and leaving the Valiants with a major void to fill up front.
Cole undeniably has the pedigree to successfully replace the 23-year-old. He has played 249 games in League One, scoring 65 goals in that time.
He looked to have massively matured as a player during his time with Barnsley, but found virtually no opportunities for game time at West Brom, even after Josh Maja’s big injury.
Terminating his contract to move to a team that will likely be fighting relegation this season shows Cole’s determination and eagerness to play football. This will hopefully mean that the frontman is able to play at his very best and score enough goals for Darren Moore’s side to survive in the third tier.
