Getting to know Rayhaan Tulloch: A profile of Doncaster Rovers' latest signing

The 19-year-old is well-known to Rovers boss Darren Moore, who has tracked his career since his own time at the Hawthorns as coach and manager.

Here, we take a closer look at Tullouch’s career to date.

Name: Rayhaan Rahim Amari Tulloch

Born: January 20, 2001; Birmingham.

HE COMES FROM A STRONG BREEDING GROUND - BUT DIDN’T IMPRESS WEST BROM FROM THE START

Tulloch’s former junior club, Phoenix United in the Erdington area of Birmingham, also produced Saido Berahino, Jerome Sinclair and Nathan Ferguson, who all went on to join West Brom.

He first found himself on West Brom’s books at the age of seven but was let go by age eight. The youngster joined Birmingham City after his release and soon impressed enough for West Brom to give him another chance - and he’s been at the Hawthorns ever since.

EXPLOSIVE

Tulloch has been likened to Jadon Sancho and Callum Hudson-Odoi in style. He’s quick and powerful, with good footwork and an ability to get in behind defences. He’s also got the versatility Moore craves, and can play both as a number nine or in the wide areas.

HE HAS MADE HIS SENIOR BOW

Tulloch has five senior appearances to his name, all of which came in the FA Cup for West Brom over the previous two seasons. Coming off the bench in each, he has faced the likes of Brighton and Hove Albion, Newcastle United and West Ham United.

He has also been part of matchday squads in the Premier League and Championship but has yet to make his league debut.

He scored nine goals and produced four assists in 19 appearances for West Brom’s U23s last season, helping him earn a nomination for the Premier League 2

INTERNATIONAL HONOURS

Tulloch has been part of the England age group set up for several years and played in four of the five matches as the U17s reached the semi-finals of the 2018 European Championship played in England. He has also been capped at U18 level and involved with the U20s.

A LONG-TERM PROSPECT

He signed a four-year contract at the Hawthorns in July and has been kept a close eye on by Baggies boss Slaven Bilic, who played a major role in convincing Tulloch to remain at the club. The former Croatia boss spoke to Tulloch after he had failed to agree a new contract midway through last season - with West Brom feeling as though he would leave the club - and pointed to the pathway other players had taken into the first team. Glasgow Rangers and RB Leipzig were among those ready to make an offer for his services with Bournemouth, Southampton, Newcastle and Sunderland also said to be interested. After agreeing his new deal, Tulloch has trained with the first team squad as they geared up for the start of the new season.

WHAT THEY SAID

West Brom boss Slaven Bilic said: “Ray hasn’t played a lot but he is the type of player that, every day, puts a smile on your face. He is an exceptional talent. He has very quick feet, very good skill, a very good sense of the game.

“When I came here, he was a kid. But he looks different now. He looks different on and off the pitch. If he continues to work as hard as he is working now, it should be a really good story for West Brom and for Ray.”

Former England U17, now Swansea City, head coach Steve Cooper told The Athletic: “Rayhaan was, on his day, a really big threat - very direct and able to turn a game through his skill and athleticism. He could play a number of positions.

“He’s quick and the type of player that’s broken through a lot recently - like Jadon Sancho and Callum Hudson-Odoi. I’m not saying he’s at that level but he’s the type of player that could quickly change a game though and an explosive moment, a quick dribble or a run in behind and that can have quite the impact on a game.”

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