West Bromwich Albion have confirmed the permanent signing of midfielder Toby Collyer from Manchester United. The 22-year-old has joined on a four-year contract for an undisclosed fee, as reported by the club's official website this week.
Collyer returns to The Hawthorns after a loan spell during the first half of the 2025/26 campaign. He becomes the club's ninth permanent signing of the summer 2025 transfer window. Manager James Morrison was particularly keen to bring the former England youth international back to the club. West Brom currently sit 6th in the Championship with six points from three games, scoring six goals and conceding five.
Why did Toby Collyer choose West Brom?
Toby Collyer cited the size of West Bromwich Albion and his positive previous experience as key factors. "The size of the club is one of them," Collyer said. "I also really enjoyed my time here on loan in the first half of last season." His decision to leave Manchester United was driven by a desire for regular first-team football and career progression. After returning to United for pre-season following his loan at Hull City, the permanent move materialized.
Collyer watched most of Albion's games in the latter part of last season, even when he was playing against them for Hull City. He admitted he "got the runaround" when facing West Brom, an experience that underscored the team's quality. The club's current league position, just three points behind leaders Charlton Athletic, adds to the appeal of the project under Morrison.
How have his recent loan spells shaped him?
The midfielder believes his time away from Old Trafford was essential for his development. After his initial loan at West Brom, he moved to Hull City in January 2025 and helped them achieve promotion to the Premier League. Across the entire 2024/25 season, he made a combined 17 appearances for West Brom and Hull.
"Being out on loan makes you grow up," Collyer stated. "Even though I didn’t have the best loan spells last season, I felt like I grew up and became much more of a man." This maturity convinced the Albion hierarchy that he was ready to contribute consistently. You can view his profile and the rest of the squad on our squad page.
Where does he fit into the current team?
As a central midfielder, Collyer adds depth and competition to James Morrison's options. His arrival concludes a significant summer of recruitment aimed at bolstering the team for a promotion push. The immediate focus shifts to a huge fixture this coming Wednesday, September 2nd, at home against league leaders Charlton Athletic.
That match presents a direct opportunity to close the gap at the top of the table. Fans can follow the team's progress and check upcoming matches on our fixtures page. With a goal difference of +1, Albion's attack has been potent, and tightening the defense will be a priority. The current standings show a tightly packed top half, making every point valuable early in the season.
Collyer's permanent signing signals the club's belief in his potential to become a mainstay in the midfield. His familiarity with the manager's methods and some of his teammates should allow for a swift integration as West Bromwich Albion prepare for a critical period in their campaign.
