Robson-Kanu would have surprised many West Brom fans with his choice of shirt number.
West Bromwich Albion’s Hal Robson-Kanu comes on as a substitute to replace Salomon Rondon as manager Tony Pulis looks on
Hal Robson-Kanu has explained to Wales Online that his slightly odd choice of shirt number following his move to West Bromwich Albion is partially inspired by a former Baggies forward.
The 27-year-old is predominantly a striker who can also play out on the wing. So it would have inevitably raised a few eyebrows when he decided to wear the number four shirt for Tony Pulis’ men following his summer arrival.
Traditionally, that number tends to be worn by defenders or by holding midfielders perhaps. But he explained the reasoning behind his decision to take that particular shirt.
“It’s a few things… At the time it was the only single number available and I prefer wearing a single number, especially with such a long name, I think the single number looks a little bit better,” he told Wales Online.
Kanu playing for Nigeria
“Nwankwo Kanu, the Nigerian footballer because I have Nigerian blood in me and he’s got the same surname as myself. He used to wear the number 4 for Nigeria and he also played for West Brom as well,” he would add when discussing the inspiration behind the number.
Though the former Reading man has suggested that Kanu has partially inspired the number selection, he will be hoping that his time at the Hawthorns proves to be more successful than the Nigerian’s time there did.
Nwankwo Kanu during his time with West Brom
He scored just seven times in 52 Premier League appearances for the Albion, and his final season with the club saw them relegated to the second tier.
And, of course, perhaps the main legacy that Kanu left behind was an incredible miss against Middlesbrough in 2004 when he managed to put the ball over the bar from one yard out, so Robson-Kanu will be hoping that when he leaves, he is able to reflect on a much more promising spell with the club.
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