West Brom confirm key transfer decision before January window deadline

West Bromwich Albion have confirmed that, as expected, Jordan Hugill has returned to parent club Norwich City ahead of schedule.

Striker Hugill arrived at the end of August on a season-long loan deal from the Premier League Canaries, but he scored just one goal in 20 outings in the first half of the season and that stint included glaring missed chances against Bristol City, Nottingham Forest and Barnsley.

Albion and Valerien Ismael were as a result keen to move quickly in the January transfer window to source a fitting attacking alternative, and they got one in Daryl Dike.

Following Dike’s injury sustained against Peterborough, though, there was still no way back for Hugill and the Baggies have since brought in Andy Carroll as short-term cover. Hugill hasn’t been in the match-day squad for the last three matches.

Norwich, who are battling relegation from the top flight, aren’t set to reintegrate him into their first-team squad, though; Hugill is set for a swift return to the Championship.

Cardiff City are expected to offer him a second stab at the second tier this season. The Bluebirds’ number nine, international forward Kieffer Moore, is wanted by Bournemouth and is expected to join Albion’s promotion rivals before Monday night’s deadline.

Confirming the departure of Hugill, Albion said in a short statement: “Everybody at Albion thanks Jordan for his efforts and wishes him well in his future career.”

It remains to be seen whether Hugill be the final piece of business, incoming or outgoing, that Albion are involved in before the transfer deadline passes.