Port Vale sign free agent ex-WBA midfielder Harper

Rekeem Harper made 41 appearances for West Bromwich Albion, starting with his Premier League debut as a 17-year-old in August 2017

League Two leaders Port Vale have signed former West Bromwich Albion midfielder Rekeem Harper as a free agent.

The 24-year-old began the season with League One side Burton Albion - but he came to a mutual agreement with the Brewers to be released from his contract on August transfer deadline day.

His deal with Vale runs until the end of the season.

Harper first worked with Vale head coach Darren Moore when he was in charge at Albion, for whom he made 41 appearances.

He was on the Baggies' books from 2016 to 2021, including loans with Blackburn Rovers and Birmingham City, before leaving to sign for Ipswich Town for £500,000.

But he made just 19 appearances in two years at Ipswich, which included loan spells at Crewe Alexandra and Exeter City.

He then moved on again to Burton in the summer of 2023, making 34 appearances - half of them off the bench.

Moore's men are currently four points clear at the top of League Two, having won five games on the spin going into Saturday's FA Cup first-round date with Barnsley.