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Rekeem Harper

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Rekeem Harper
Personal information
Full name Rekeem Jordon Harper[1]
Date of birth (2000-03-08) 8 March 2000 (age 24)[2]
Place of birth Birmingham, England[3]
Height 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)[4]
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Port Vale
Number 45
Youth career
2012–2017 West Bromwich Albion
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2017–2021 West Bromwich Albion 29 (1)
2017 → Blackburn Rovers (loan) 4 (0)
2021 → Birmingham City (loan) 18 (0)
2021–2023 Ipswich Town 13 (0)
2022 → Crewe Alexandra (loan) 15 (0)
2022–2023 → Exeter City (loan) 20 (1)
2023–2024 Burton Albion 27 (0)
2024– Port Vale 1 (0)
International career
2017 England U17 3 (0)
2018–2019 England U19 7 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 22:26, 25 November 2024 (UTC)

Rekeem Jordan Harper (born 8 March 2000) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for EFL League Two club Port Vale. He represented England up to under-19 level.

Born in Birmingham, Harper came through the Academy at West Bromwich Albion, turning professional after making his first appearance in the Premier League in August 2017. He spent much of the first half of the 2017–18 season on loan at Blackburn Rovers. He was named West Brom's Young Player of the Year for the 2018–19 campaign and made ten Championship appearances as the club secured promotion back to the Premier League at the end of the 2019–20 season. He spent the second half of the 2020–21 season on loan at Birmingham City. He was sold to League One club Ipswich Town for a £500,000 fee in June 2021. He spent the second half of the 2021–22 season on loan at Crewe Alexandra and the whole of the 2022–23 season at Exeter City. He left Ipswich and spent the 2023–24 season with Burton Albion before he joined Port Vale in November 2024.

Early life

[edit]

Rekeem Jordon Harper was born in Birmingham on 8 March 2000.[3] He attended Aston Manor Academy and went to Aston Villa matches at Villa Park with family and friends as a child.[5]

Club career

[edit]

West Bromwich Albion

[edit]

Harper joined West Bromwich Albion at the age of 12.[6] He spent five years in the West Brom Academy, where he was converted from a striker into a box-to-box midfielder.[7] He made his professional debut on 12 August 2017 as a second-half substitute in Albion's 1–0 win over AFC Bournemouth, in doing so becoming only the second Premier League player to have been born in the 2000s.[8] In August 2017, Harper signed his first professional contract with the club, a deal to run for two years.[6] Manager Tony Pulis looked to get the teenager out on loan to gain experience in the EFL before giving him more gametime in the Premier League.[9] On 31 August, newly-relegated League One club Blackburn Rovers signed Harper on loan for the 2017–18 season.[10] Manager Tony Mowbray said it was an opportunity for the youngster to "play some football and enjoy himself and show everyone his talent" whilst competing with Corry Evans, Peter Whittingham and Willem Tomlinson for a first-team spot alongside Richard Smallwood.[11][12] He made his first start for Rovers on 12 September in the club's 1–0 win over Scunthorpe United. He said he was learning from the older pros at Ewood Park.[13] He received a red card for a professional foul in an FA Cup tie against Crewe Alexandra on 3 December – Mowbray said he was "baffled" by the referee's decision.[14][15] He made nine appearances for Blackburn, of which just one was a league start, before new Albion manager Alan Pardew recalled him to The Hawthorns in the New Year as he looked to personally assess the club's young players.[16][17]

After returning to West Brom, Harper made his first appearance of the 2018–19 season in an EFL Cup tie on 14 August, starting in a 1–0 win against Luton Town. His playing time was initially limited under manager Darren Moore as contract negotiations stalled, with Jake Livermore, Gareth Barry and James Morrison ahead of him in the pecking order, though in January he managed to establish himself in the team behind a front two of Dwight Gayle and Jay Rodriguez following a suspension to Livermore.[18] He scored the first senior goal of his career on 27 April, a 79th-minute winner in a 2–1 win over Rotherham United in Albion's final home game of the 2018–19 season.[19] Caretaker manager Jimmy Shan, who had coached Harper throughout his time at the West Brom Academy, said that "he's come into the changing room at the end of the game with a smile from ear to ear".[20] Harper made 23 appearances throughout the season, scoring once, helping West Brom to qualify for the EFL Championship play-offs following a fourth-place league finish.[21] His performances during the season earned him the club's Young Player of the Year award.[22] In July 2019, following many months of negotiations, he signed a new three-year contract with West Brom.[23][24] He had previously been linked with moves to Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Juventus.[25]

Harper made his first appearance of the 2019–20 season as a second-half substitute in the season's opening match, a 2–1 win against Nottingham Forest.[26] Harper found regular game time limited during the season under new manager Slaven Bilić – who criticised his application, having to wait until 25 February before he made his first league start under the new manager whilst Sawyers was serving a suspension.[27][28] He played well and went on to make four starts and six substitute appearances in the league to help West Brom to win promotion to the Premier League following a second-place finish in the Championship. He made 13 appearances in total during the season and was praised by Bilic for improving as a footballer.[29][30]

Following West Brom's return to the Premier League, Harper made his first appearance of the 2020–21 season on the opening match day, coming on as a substitute in a 3–0 defeat to Leicester City. He scored his first goal of the season in the following match against Harrogate Town in an EFL Cup second round tie on 16 September, scoring Albion's opening goal in a 3–0 win with a shot from outside the 18-yard box. His only other appearance for the Baggies during the 2020–21 season came as a substitute in a 4–0 loss to Arsenal on 2 January.[31] He fell behind Romaine Sawyers, Jake Livermore and Conor Gallagher in the pecking order as Bilic felt that he lacked consistency.[32][33] New manager Sam Allardyce allowed him to leave the club on loan.[18] On 21 January, Harper joined Championship club Birmingham City on loan for the remainder of the 2020–21 season.[34] He was signed to link midfield and attack as a number eight.[35] He made his debut on 30 January as a second-half substitute in a 1–1 draw with Coventry City.[36] He played well for Lee Bowyer's Blues despite the team struggling and falling to some heavy defeats and he said that Bowyer lifted the mood of the dressing room at St Andrew's after he replaced Aitor Karanka as manager.[18][37] Harper made 18 appearances in all competitions during his time on loan at Birmingham.[31] A permanent transfer away from West Brom was arranged, with the final deal only confirmed once incoming manager Valérien Ismaël approved of it.[38]

Ipswich Town

[edit]

On 25 June 2021, Harper joined Ipswich Town for an undisclosed fee, believed to be £500,000 and rising to £1 million if all clauses were met.[39] He signed a three-year contract with the club, with the option of a further one-year extension.[40] He made his debut for the club in the first game of the season against Morecambe at Portman Road on 7 August and started the first six games of the 2021–22 season alongside Lee Evans, though dropped down the pecking order after Paul Cook signed Sam Morsy.[7][41] He appeared 18 times in all competitions for the Tractor Boys before departing on loan.[42] On 31 January 2022, Harper joined fellow League One side Crewe Alexandra, who were 13 places below Ipswich and six points shy of safety from relegation, on loan for the remainder of the 2021–22 season.[43][44] Manager Kieran McKenna said that the loan move worked for all parties as Crewe boss David Artell and his coaching staff followed the club's "tradition of a good way of doing things on the pitch".[45] The Railwaymen were relegated at the end of the season after losing in 15 of Harper's 18 appearances at Gresty Road.[46][47]

On 24 August 2022, Harper joined League One side Exeter City on loan for the 2022–23 season.[48] Marcus Flitcroft, Head of Player Recruitment for the Grecians, stated that "he's a dynamic and composed midfielder that... we have [been] monitoring for a while".[49] He began well at St James Park, contributing two assists as he formed a strong early partnership with Archie Collins in a 3–4–1–2 shape under the stewardship of Matt Taylor.[46][47] However, he did not feature from the appointment of manager Gary Caldwell on 24 October until he impressed in a surprise inclusion at Milton Keynes Dons on 28 January.[50] On 18 February, he was shown a red card after picking up two yellow cards in a 1–0 defeat at Port Vale, which led Caldwell to heavily criticise the referee.[51] Harper's contract with Ipswich was terminated by mutual consent on 28 June 2023.[52]

Burton Albion

[edit]

On 29 June 2023, Harper joined League One club Burton Albion on a two-year deal.[53] He said that "the manager has seen the strengths in my game and seen the things to work on. He has ambitions and as a player I share those visions."[54] He made 34 appearances across the 2023–24 season, though never managed to secure a consistent place in the first XI as the Brewers rotated managers from Dino Maamria to Gary Mills and then Martin Paterson.[55][47] He left the Pirelli Stadium by mutual consent on 30 August 2024.[56] Bendik Hareide, the Brewers sporting director, explained that the club saw "a bit bigger potential" in Kegs Chauke over Harper.[57]

Port Vale

[edit]

On 1 November 2024, Harper was reunited with his former West Brom manager Darren Moore when he joined League Two club Port Vale on a deal until the end of the 2024–25 season.[58] He was sent off on his league debut for the Valiants in a 1–1 draw with local rivals Crewe Alexandra at Vale Park on 25 November.[59]

International career

[edit]

Harper was born in England of Jamaican descent.[60] In February 2017, he represented England U17 in matches against Portugal, Germany and the Netherlands.[61] In September 2018, he started for England Under-19 against Belgium.[62] He played alongside Phil Foden and Jadon Sancho, and later said that "I remember... looking at those players and thinking this is the level you want to be at every week" and that "it's a really special memory I hold".[63]

Style of play

[edit]

Harper is a versatile and intelligent midfielder who can contribute in both attack and defence with his strong physical attributes and sound technical ability.[64][65] He describes himself as "an all-rounded midfielder who likes to play forward and take risk, and most importantly I'm a hard worker".[66] His balance and powerful box-to-box style as a teenager earned him comparisons to Patrick Vieira.[67] His career declined since that time, however.[68] He is a player who requires his confidence to be built up in order to play at his best.[69]

Career statistics

[edit]
As of match played 25 November 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup EFL Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
West Bromwich Albion U23s 2016–17[70] — — — 3[a] 0 3 0
West Bromwich Albion 2017–18[71] Premier League 1 0 — 1 0 — 2 0
2018–19[21] Championship 16 1 3 0 3 0 1[b] 0 23 1
2019–20[29] Championship 10 0 2 0 1 0 — 13 0
2020–21[31] Premier League 2 0 0 0 2 1 — 4 1
Total 29 1 5 0 7 1 1 0 42 2
Blackburn Rovers (loan) 2017–18[71] League One 4 0 3 0 — 2[a] 0 9 0
Birmingham City (loan) 2020–21[31] Championship 18 0 — — — 18 0
Ipswich Town 2021–22[72] League One 13 0 2 0 0 0 3[a] 0 18 0
2022–23[73] League One 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0
Total 13 0 2 0 1 0 3 0 19 0
Crewe Alexandra (loan) 2021–22[72] League One 15 0 — — — 15 0
Exeter City (loan) 2022–23[73] League One 20 1 0 0 — 3[a] 0 23 1
Burton Albion 2023–24[74] League One 27 0 1 0 1 0 5[a] 0 34 0
Port Vale 2024–25[75] League Two 1 0 0 0 — 1[a] 0 2 0
Career total 127 2 11 0 9 1 18 0 165 3
  1. ^ a b c d e f Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy
  2. ^ Appearance in Championship play-offs

Honours

[edit]

West Bromwich Albion

Individual

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Rekeem Harper at the English National Football Archive (subscription required)
  2. ^ "Rekeem Harper". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 25 November 2017.
  3. ^ a b Rekeem Harper at Soccerway. Retrieved 25 November 2017.
  4. ^ Watson, Stuart (10 June 2021). "Town make offer for West Brom midfielder Harper". East Anglian Daily Times. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
  5. ^ Wilson, Matt (17 February 2019). "Aston lad Rekeem Harper enjoys bragging rights after West Brom's derby win". Express and Star. Retrieved 2 November 2024.
  6. ^ a b "Harper out on loan after penning pro contract". www.wba.co.uk. 31 August 2017. Retrieved 23 October 2017.
  7. ^ a b Baggaley, Mike (3 November 2024). "Vale stretched too far in FA Cup exit". Valiant's Substack. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
  8. ^ Lofthouse, Amy (12 August 2017). "West Bromwich Albion 1–0 Bournemouth". BBC Sport. Retrieved 13 August 2017. The source actually says "21st century", however the 21st century started in 2001, not 2000.
  9. ^ Suart, Paul (14 August 2017). "West Brom teenager Rekeem Harper "suited" to the Albion way". Birmingham Live. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
  10. ^ "Blackburn Rovers FC". Blackburn Rovers FC. 31 August 2017. Retrieved 2 November 2024.
  11. ^ Sharpe, Rich (3 September 2017). "'He's an exciting project' - Tony Mowbray has heard nothing but good things about Rovers loanee Rekeem Harper". Lancashire Telegraph. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
  12. ^ Lucy, Warren (29 December 2017). "Blackburn Rovers FC". Blackburn Rovers FC. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
  13. ^ Sharpe, Rich (16 November 2017). "Rovers loan spell a learning curve on and off the pitch for West Brom teenager Rekeem Harper". Lancashire Telegraph. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
  14. ^ Sharpe, Rich (8 December 2017). "Tony Mowbray remains an admirer of Rovers loanee Rekeem Harper as he backs him to recover from red card". Lancashire Telegraph. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
  15. ^ Grant, Ryan (3 December 2017). "Blackburn Rovers FC". Blackburn Rovers FC. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
  16. ^ Wilson, Matt (2 January 2018). "West Brom recall Rekeem Harper from Blackburn Rovers loan". Express & Star. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
  17. ^ "Young loanees return to The Hawthorns | West Bromwich Albion". West Bromwich Albion FC. 2 January 2018. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
  18. ^ a b c Watson, Stuart (26 June 2021). "Harper has 'wonderful balance', 'frightening power' and 'no limits'". East Anglian Daily Times. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
  19. ^ "West Bromwich Albion 2–1 Rotherham". BBC Sport. 27 April 2019. Retrieved 16 May 2019.
  20. ^ "'It was a fantastic moment' - Shan | West Bromwich Albion". West Bromwich Albion FC. 27 April 2019. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
  21. ^ a b "Games played by Rekeem Harper in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
  22. ^ a b "Albion's 2018/19 award winners | West Bromwich Albion". West Bromwich Albion FC. 27 April 2019. Retrieved 2 November 2024.
  23. ^ "EFL Championship: West Brom ready to agree new contract with Rekeem Harper". BBC Sport. 24 January 2019. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
  24. ^ "Rekeem Harper: West Bromwich Albion midfielder extends contract". BBC Sport. 6 July 2019. Retrieved 2 November 2024.
  25. ^ "Liverpool & Tottenham Competing for Out-of-Contract West Brom Youngster Rekeem Harper". SI. 22 June 2019. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
  26. ^ Wright, Danny (20 November 2019). "West Brom news: Harper should worry about future". West Brom News. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
  27. ^ Chapman, Joseph (19 November 2019). "West Brom's 'great talent' who must seize any Sheff Wed chance". Birmingham Live. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
  28. ^ Chapman, Joseph (26 February 2020). "How Rekeem Harper forced his way back into Slaven Bilic's plans". Birmingham Live. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
  29. ^ a b "Games played by Rekeem Harper in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
  30. ^ Masi, Joseph (4 July 2020). "Slaven Bilic praise for West Brom's Rekeem Harper". Express & Star. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
  31. ^ a b c d "Games played by Rekeem Harper in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
  32. ^ Cooke, Crippy (22 January 2021). "Rekeem Harper explains his decision to leave West Brom on loan". Read West Brom. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
  33. ^ Chapman, Joseph (1 December 2020). "Bilic drops January hint as Harper's future is spotlighted". Birmingham Live. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
  34. ^ "Rekeem Harper: West Brom midfielder joins Birmingham City on loan". BBC Sport. 21 January 2021. Retrieved 2 November 2024.
  35. ^ Dick, Brian; Chapman, Joseph (21 January 2021). "West Brom writer delivers verdict on Blues target Rekeem Harper". Birmingham Live. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
  36. ^ "Birmingham City 1–1 Coventry City". BBC Sport. 30 January 2021. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
  37. ^ Dick, Brian (22 March 2021). "Rekeem Harper makes 'knows what he is doing' Bowyer comment". Birmingham Live. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
  38. ^ Apicella, Liam (25 June 2021). "Midfielder completes Ipswich move". Suffolk News. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
  39. ^ Masi, Joseph (21 June 2021). "West Brom put Rekeem Harper's switch on hold". Express and Star. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
  40. ^ Pearce, Steve (25 June 2021). "Town Sign Rekeem Harper". Ipswich Town FC. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
  41. ^ Watson, Stuart (28 June 2023). "Harper's contract terminated by Town". Ipswich Star. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
  42. ^ Hale, Mikey (22 April 2022). "BOSS ON REKEEM HARPER". Ipswich Town FC. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
  43. ^ "Rekeem Harper Joins On Loan". Crewe Alexandra FC. 31 January 2022. Retrieved 2 November 2024.
  44. ^ "Rekeem Harper: Ipswich Town loan midfielder to Crewe Alexandra". BBC Sport. 31 January 2022. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
  45. ^ "McKenna: Harper Crewe Loan Works For All Parties - Ipswich Town News". TWTD.co.uk. 3 February 2024. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
  46. ^ a b Reeves, James (1 December 2022). "Has Rekeem Harper got a future at Ipswich Town? Here's how he's done so far Exeter City". FootballLeagueWorld. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
  47. ^ a b c Gent, Oli (12 March 2024). "The ex-West Brom and Ipswich Town star struggling to fulfil his potential". FootballLeagueWorld. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
  48. ^ Heath, Mark (24 August 2022). "Midfielder Harper goes on loan to League One rivals". East Anglian Daily Times. Retrieved 24 August 2022.
  49. ^ "✍️ Rekeem Harper is a Grecian | Exeter City F.C." Exeter City FC. 24 August 2022. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
  50. ^ Clark, Daniel (30 January 2023). "Rekeem Harper gives Exeter City a reminder of his class". Devon Live. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
  51. ^ Clark, Daniel (18 February 2023). "Gary Caldwell unimpressed by Rekeem Harper's red card". Devon Live. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
  52. ^ "Harper Contract Terminated By Mutual Consent - Ipswich Town News". TWTD.co.uk. 28 June 2023. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
  53. ^ Slater, Rob (29 June 2023). "Brewers Sign Midfielder Rekeem Harper". Burton Albion FC. Retrieved 2 November 2024.
  54. ^ "Rekeem Harper & Kegs Chauke: Burton Albion sign ex-Ipswich and Southampton midfielders". BBC Sport. 29 June 2023. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
  55. ^ Halls, Ross (2 September 2024). "Former Town midfielder departs League One club". East Anglian Daily Times. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
  56. ^ "Rekeem Harper Departs Burton Albion By Mutual Consent". Burton Albion FC. 30 August 2024. Retrieved 2 November 2024.
  57. ^ Crawford, Colston (10 September 2024). "Why Bennett and Chauke made the cut for Albion". Staffordshire Live. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
  58. ^ "Rekeem Harper is a Valiant! | Port Vale FC". Port Vale FC. 1 November 2024. Retrieved 2 November 2024.
  59. ^ Baggaley, Mike (26 November 2024). "Staying top despite late drama". Valiant's Substack. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
  60. ^ "Rakeem Harper". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
  61. ^ "England call-ups for West Brom youngsters delighting academy manager Mark Harrison". Express & Star. 15 February 2017. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
  62. ^ "England U19s enjoy 2–1 victory away in Belgium". The Football Association. 10 September 2018. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
  63. ^ Masi, Joseph (7 June 2021). "West Brom's Rekeem Harper keen to emulate England stars". Express and Star. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
  64. ^ Gray, Lewis (1 November 2024). "Port Vale Confirm Signing Of Former Premier League Midfielder". The Real EFL. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
  65. ^ Analytics, ITFC (26 June 2021). "Scout Report: Rekeem Harper". Medium. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
  66. ^ "💬 Rekeem Harper on joining Exeter City | Exeter City F.C." Exeter City FC. 24 August 2022. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
  67. ^ Fisher, Ben (9 January 2019). "Ten Football League teenagers to watch in 2019". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
  68. ^ "Rekeem Harper: Exeter City move a chance for midfielder to become 'best version of myself'". BBC Sport. 23 September 2022. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
  69. ^ James, Stuart (22 September 2022). "Rekeem Harper 'at perfect place' to get his career back on track". Devon Live. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
  70. ^ "Games played by Rekeem Harper in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 18 October 2017.
  71. ^ a b "Games played by Rekeem Harper in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 October 2017.
  72. ^ a b "Games played by Rekeem Harper in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
  73. ^ a b "Games played by Rekeem Harper in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
  74. ^ "Games played by Rekeem Harper in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
  75. ^ "Games played by Rekeem Harper in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
  76. ^ Scott, Ged (22 July 2020). "West Bromwich Albion 2–2 Queens Park Rangers". BBC Sport. Retrieved 14 July 2021.
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