Football
Kevin Palmer 9y

James McClean to turn down MLS for West Bromwich

Republic of Ireland winger James McClean looks set to turn down the chance to move to Major League Soccer, after his club Wigan Athletic accepted an offer from Premier League side West Bromwich Albion for his services, sources have told ESPN.

ESPN sources revealed last month that McClean was weighing up potential offers from MLS sides, as he considered following his international team-mates Robbie Keane [LA Galaxy] and Kevin Doyle [Colorado Rapids] to play in the United States.

Yet it seems as if the lure of the Premier League is too much for 26-year-old McClean to resist, with West Brom manager Tony Pulis keen to snap up the ex-Sunderland winger who is reported to have a prove tag of around ₤1.5 million.

McClean has been something of a controversial figure during his career as he has twice refused to wear a poppy on his shirt to commemorate Remembrance Day in the UK, which is the date set aside to remember those lost in wars around the world.

There has been some debate surrounding McClean's contentious past among West Brom supporters as news of his imminent arrival was circulated, with local newspaper the Express and Star republishing a letter the player sent to Wigan owner Dave Whelan to explain why he refused to wear the poppy on his Latics jersey.

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