West Bromwich Albion have signed French defender Brayann Pereira from NEC Nijmegen in a permanent transfer. The 23-year-old right-back has agreed a four-year contract at The Hawthorns, becoming the club's tenth signing of the summer window, as confirmed in a report on the club's official website.
Pereira arrives as Albion sit sixth in the Championship table with six points from three games. Their next challenge is a home fixture against Watford on September 5th, a match you can preview on our fixtures page. The Baggies are currently three points behind league leaders Charlton Athletic.
Who is Brayann Pereira?
Brayann Pereira is a 23-year-old defender born in Saint-Quentin, France. He began his youth career with local side Olympique Saint-Quentin Jugend before joining RC Lens at age 14. His professional debut came for Lens in a Ligue 1 match against Marseille in January 2022. After brief spells with AJ Auxerre and a loan at Bourg-en-Bresse in the French third tier, he moved to the Netherlands in 2023.
Pereira established himself at NEC Nijmegen, making 85 total appearances and contributing three goals and seven assists. His final season there was particularly successful, with NEC finishing third in the Eredivisie to qualify for the UEFA Champions League qualifiers. He played in all four of those European qualifying matches this summer before the Dutch side were eliminated by Bodo/Glimt.
What will he bring to the squad?
Primarily a right-back, Pereira has also operated effectively as a right-sided centre-back in a back three. This versatility offers manager James Morrison additional options. "I prefer to play at right-back, but, in my old team, I played as a centre-back on the right side because we played with three central defenders," Pereira told WBA TV. "I want to adapt and I am here to give my best."
His experience in a possession-dominant NEC side, which averaged 60% possession last season, suggests he is comfortable on the ball. Pereira believes the Championship's intensity suits his style. "I have watched a little bit of the Championship because one of my friends plays for Stoke City," he said. "This is how I know the competition is really intense and really competitive."
Where does he fit in the current team?
Pereira joins a West Brom side that has scored six goals and conceded five in their opening three league matches. His arrival provides depth and competition at right-back, a position that has seen various occupants. You can view the full roster on our squad page. Morrison now has a player with recent European experience eager to prove himself in English football.
"I'm really happy to be here," Pereira said. "I think the English competition will be really good for me because it will match with my playing style. I want to give everything here." His immediate focus will be on integrating with the group and challenging for a starting role.
What are the immediate next steps?
The defender's first opportunity to be involved comes quickly with Watford visiting The Hawthorns. Watford currently sit ninth in the table, making it a significant early-season clash. Albion's form reads two wins and one loss from their first three outings. Pereira will be aiming to make his debut in that match and help the team close the gap to the top of the standings.
Brayann Pereira has signed a contract with West Bromwich Albion that runs until the summer of 2030.
