West Bromwich Albion are reportedly moving to make former Sunderland defender Nectarios Triantis their first signing of the January transfer window, as new manager Eric Ramsay begins his squad rebuild.
Ramsay's Reunion with a Familiar Face
According to reports from Football Insider, the Baggies are keen on the 22-year-old Australian-born centre-back, who recently made his senior international debut for Greece in 2025. This potential deal would see Ramsay reunite with a player he knows well, having previously signed Triantis during his tenure as manager of MLS side Minnesota United.
Ramsay was appointed at The Hawthorns after the club parted ways with Ryan Mason, following a disappointing first half of the Championship season. The former Manchester United coach earned plaudits in the United States, where he transformed Minnesota into a record-breaking side, achieving their highest-ever finish in 2025.
Who is Nectarios Triantis?
Triantis began his professional career in Australia with Sydney FC before rising to prominence at Central Coast Mariners, where he won a league title. His move to English football with Sunderland in 2023 for a reported £300,000 fee yielded only five first-team appearances.
However, the versatile defender, who can also operate in defensive midfield, found form during two loan spells at Hibernian. He made 43 appearances for Hibs, initially struggling before growing in confidence after a switch to a midfield role, as noted by the Edinburgh Evening News.
A Tactical Fit for the New Era
Ramsay's tactical approach could suit a player of Triantis's adaptability. Analysis from Birmingham World suggests the new Albion boss is not fixated on possession, preferring to exploit opposition weaknesses on the counter-attack with pace. He typically employs a fluid five-at-the-back system, either a 5-4-1 or 5-3-2, and is known for his pragmatic in-game adjustments.
"I've really learned as a coach... that I won't stray too far away from being very pragmatic," Ramsay told MLSsoccer.com, emphasising adaptability to his players' strengths. Triantis, who scored three goals and provided two assists in ten games under Ramsay in Minnesota, appears to fit this flexible model perfectly.
This potential signing signals the start of a crucial January window for West Brom, as they aim to climb the Championship table under their new leadership.
