Under the leadership of Tony Mowbray, West Bromwich Albion F.C. secured the EFL Championship title during the 2007/08 campaign, earning promotion back to the Premier League alongside Stoke City F.C. and play-off winners Hull City A.F.C..
With promotion secured, the Baggies were determined to strengthen their squad and establish themselves as a competitive Premier League side.
Several notable additions arrived at The Hawthorns, including Jonas Olsson, Scott Carson, Graham Dorrans and Youssouf Mulumbu. These new signings joined an already talented group that featured experienced figures such as Kevin Phillips, Chris Brunt and Zoltán Gera.
On paper, West Brom’s recruitment looked impressive, and many believed they had assembled the strongest squad among the newly promoted teams. However, the season that followed would ultimately become a frustrating and disappointing one for supporters.
The Baggies’ Premier League return got off to a difficult start, with defeats in their opening two matches — first away to Arsenal F.C. and then at home against Everton F.C.. Concerned by the early struggles, Mowbray felt further reinforcements were necessary if the club were to have any chance of survival.
That led to West Brom breaking their transfer record in the summer of 2008 to sign a creative attacking midfielder who they hoped would provide the spark needed to unlock Premier League defences.
Unfortunately, the move would not deliver the impact the club had hoped for.
West Brom completed the signing of Borja Valero from RCD Mallorca for a then club-record fee of £4.7 million. The Spanish playmaker arrived at The Hawthorns on a four-year contract, with expectations that his technical ability and creativity would play a major role in helping the Baggies remain in the top flight.
Valero’s transfer surpassed the previous record fee West Brom had paid to Cardiff City F.C. for Robert Earnshaw back in 2004. Speaking at the time of the signing, Mowbray expressed confidence that the Spaniard would adapt quickly.
“I don’t think he will have any problems settling into our team or playing in the Premier League,” Mowbray said. “Although, of course, he will need some time to adjust to the English game.”
Valero was thrown straight into the starting lineup for West Brom’s trip to Bolton Wanderers F.C., just days after joining the club. He was substituted shortly before the hour mark in a 0–0 draw, but showed early promise by providing the assist for James Morrison’s opening goal in a thrilling 3–2 home victory over West Ham United F.C. in the following match.
However, that promising moment proved to be one of the few highlights of Valero’s time at the club.
Despite occasional glimpses of his technical quality, the Spaniard struggled to produce consistent contributions in front of goal. Over the next 20 league matches he failed to score or register an assist, during a difficult period in which West Brom endured a ten-game winless run. That streak only came to an end when Valero was dropped from the starting lineup for the Baggies’ 2–1 victory over Manchester City F.C..
A product of the Real Madrid Castilla system, Valero was deployed in various midfield roles by Mowbray throughout the season. However, he never fully established himself in a specific position and found it difficult to adapt to the physical demands and tempo of English football.
In total, the Spaniard managed just one more assist during his time at The Hawthorns, setting up a goal in West Brom’s 3–1 victory over Wigan Athletic F.C. late in the season as the club battled desperately to avoid relegation at the bottom of the Premier League table.
What had once appeared to be a landmark signing ultimately turned into a largely forgettable chapter in West Brom’s history, with Valero unable to deliver the influence the club had hoped his record-breaking transfer would bring.
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