Devante Cole

{{Infobox football biography

|name = Devante Cole

|image =

|upright =

|caption =

|full_name = Devante Lavon Andrew Dewar-Cole{{cite web|title=EFL - Squad List 2021/22|url=https://www.efl.com/contentassets/c5d1297ad65c49c6bac4ae0e69c6b48e/squad-list-publication-report-2021-22---08.09.2021.pdf|publisher=English English Football League|access-date=1 November 2021}}

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1995|5|10|df=y}}

|birth_place = Alderley Edge, England

|height = {{height|ft=6|in=1}}

|position = Striker

|currentclub = West Bromwich Albion

|clubnumber = 44

|youthyears1 = 2003–2014

|youthclubs1 = Manchester City

|years1 = 2014–2015

|clubs1 = Manchester City

|caps1 = 0

|goals1 = 0

|years2 = 2014–2015

|clubs2 = → Barnsley (loan)

|caps2 = 19

|goals2 = 5

|years3 = 2015

|clubs3 = → Milton Keynes Dons (loan)

|caps3 = 14

|goals3 = 3

|years4 = 2015–2016

|clubs4 = Bradford City

|caps4 = 19

|goals4 = 5

|years5 = 2016–2018

|clubs5 = Fleetwood Town

|caps5 = 77

|goals5 = 17

|years6 = 2018–2020

|clubs6 = Wigan Athletic

|caps6 = 6

|goals6 = 0

|years7 = 2018–2019

|clubs7 = → Burton Albion (loan)

|caps7 = 13

|goals7 = 2

|years8 = 2019–2020

|clubs8 = → Motherwell (loan)

|caps8 = 19

|goals8 = 4

|years9 = 2020

|clubs9 = Doncaster Rovers

|caps9 = 9

|goals9 = 0

|years10 = 2020–2021

|clubs10 = Motherwell

|caps10 = 27

|goals10 = 11

|years11 = 2021–2024

|clubs11 = Barnsley

|caps11 = 115

|goals11 = 34

|years12 = 2024–

|clubs12 = West Bromwich Albion

|caps12 = 14

|goals12 = 0

|nationalyears1 = 2011

|nationalteam1 = England U16

|nationalcaps1 = 5

|nationalgoals1 = 2

|nationalyears2 = 2011–2012

|nationalteam2 = England U17

|nationalcaps2 = 9

|nationalgoals2 = 3

|nationalyears3 = 2012

|nationalteam3 = England U18

|nationalcaps3 = 1

|nationalgoals3 = 1

|nationalyears4 = 2014

|nationalteam4 = England U19

|nationalcaps4 = 2

|nationalgoals4 = 1

|club-update = 08:50, 2 February 2025 (UTC)

|ntupdate = 22:29, 19 August 2014 (UTC)

}}

Devante Lavon Andrew Dewar-Cole (born 10 May 1995) is an English professional footballer who plays as a striker for EFL Championship club West Bromwich Albion.

Early and personal life

Cole was born in Alderley Edge on 10 May 1995.{{cite web|url=http://www.mcfc.co.uk/elite-development-squad/forwards/devante-cole|title=Profile|access-date=19 August 2014|publisher=Manchester City F.C.|archive-date=19 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819135557/http://www.mcfc.co.uk/elite-development-squad/forwards/devante-cole|url-status=dead}}

His father is the former Manchester United, Newcastle United and England striker Andy Cole.{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/andy-cole-how-my-son-ended-up-at-citys-academy-1789946.html|title=Andy Cole: How my son ended up at City's academy|date=19 September 2009|access-date=19 August 2014|author=Nick Harris|work=The Independent}} He has stated that he is a different type of player to his father, who played in the same position,{{cite web|url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/manchester-city-starlet-devante-cole-6937121|title=City starlet Cole in search of first silverware|date=8 April 2014|access-date=19 August 2014|author=Stuart Brennan|publisher=Manchester Evening News}} and that he wants to make a name for himself.{{cite web|url=http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/13648183.Cole_aims_to_carve_name_for_himself_as_Bradford_City_hitman/|title=Cole aims to carve name for himself as Bradford City hitman|date=4 September 2015|access-date=4 September 2015|author=Simon Parker|publisher=Telegraph & Argus}} His paternal grandparents migrated to England from Jamaica in the 1960s; his grandfather worked as a miner.{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/andrew-cole-play-it-straight-with-me-and-ill-be-straight-no-curve-balls-6148116.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819145121/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/andrew-cole-play-it-straight-with-me-and-ill-be-straight-no-curve-balls-6148116.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=19 August 2014|title=Andrew Cole: 'Play it straight with me, and I'll be straight. No curve balls'|date=17 April 2005|access-date=19 August 2014|author=Jason Burt|work=The Independent}}

Club career

=Manchester City=

Cole joined Manchester City in April 2003, at the age of seven. He had previously spent a day training with city rivals Manchester United. His first involvement with the Manchester City first team came in July 2013 when he was selected for a pre-season friendly tour of South Africa, subsequently playing against SuperSport United.

Cole featured heavily in the 2013–14 UEFA Youth League scoring 6 goals and finishing as the second highest scorer overall as Manchester City made a run to the quarter-final stage of the competition.{{cite web|url=http://www.mcfc.co.uk/news/match-reports/2014/march/city-u19s-v-benfica-uefa-youth-league-18-march|title=Manchester City U19 1 – 2 Benfica U19|access-date=23 September 2014|publisher=Manchester City F.C.|archive-date=11 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160411042638/http://mcfc.co.uk/News/Match-reports/2014/March/City-u19s-v-Benfica-UEFA-Youth-League-18-March|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/andy-coles-son-devante-centre-3207743|title=Andy Cole's son Devante at centre of UEFA probe after suffering alleged racial abuse during match in Spain|date=4 March 2014 |access-date=23 September 2014|publisher=The Mirror}}

He was linked with a loan move to Scottish club Motherwell in August 2014.{{cite web|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/manchester-city-transfers-devante-cole-4033815|title=Manchester City transfers: Devante Cole poised for loan move to Scottish side Motherwell|date=10 August 2014|access-date=19 August 2014|author=Alan Nixon|publisher=The Mirror}}

==Loan to Barnsley==

On 19 August 2014, Cole signed on loan for Barnsley until 5 January 2015.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28854261|title=Man City striker Devante Cole joins Barnsley on loan|date=19 August 2014|access-date=19 August 2014|publisher=BBC Sport}} He made his professional debut the same day, appearing as a substitute in a League One game away to Coventry City. He scored his first goal for the club in his second appearance, a 4–1 home win over Gillingham.

==Loan to Milton Keynes Dons==

Cole moved on loan to Milton Keynes Dons in January 2015.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30938122|title=Manchester City's Devante Cole joins MK Dons on loan|date=22 January 2015|access-date=23 January 2015|publisher=BBC Sport}}

=Bradford City=

On 28 August 2015, Cole signed for Bradford City on a two-year deal, with the option of a third year, after being released by Manchester City.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34088888|title=Devante Cole: Bradford City sign Andrew Cole's son from Man City|date=28 August 2015|access-date=28 August 2015|publisher=BBC Sport}}{{cite web|url=http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/news/article/city-sign-cole-2652397.aspx|title=CITY SIGN COLE|date=28 August 2015|access-date=28 August 2015|website=Bradford City A.F.C.}} Bradford City manager Phil Parkinson praised Cole's pace.{{cite web|url=http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/13634634.Bantams_strike_to_snap_up_young_striker_Cole/|title=Bantams strike to snap-up young striker Cole|date=29 August 2015|access-date=29 August 2015|author=Simon Parker|publisher=Telegraph & Argus}} Before signing for them, he had been on trial with West Ham United and had been linked with a transfer to both Birmingham City and Preston North End. Manchester City have retained a sell-on clause from the deal, believed to be 30%. Cole made his debut a day later, appearing as a substitute. He scored on his debut in the 4th minute of injury time to earn City a 1–0 victory.{{cite web|url=https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/esp-football-super-sub-cole-snatches-bradford-victory-debut-162823058--sow.html|title=Football - Super-sub Cole snatches Bradford victory on debut|date=29 August 2015|access-date=30 August 2015|publisher=Yahoo Sports|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160207010632/https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/esp-football-super-sub-cole-snatches-bradford-victory-debut-162823058--sow.html|archive-date=7 February 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/13636141.Bradford_City_debutant_Devante_stars_in_latest_of_late_shows/|title=Bradford City debutant Devante stars in latest of late shows|date=31 August 2015|access-date=31 August 2015|author=Simon Parker|publisher=Telegraph & Argus}} Cole's potential development was praised by City manager Phil Parkinson.{{cite web|url=http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/13636286._Project__Cole_fuels_Bradford_City_hopes_after_debut_winner/|title='Project' Cole fuels Bradford City hopes after debut winner|date=31 August 2015|access-date=31 August 2015|author=Simon Parker|publisher=Telegraph & Argus}} New striker partner James Hanson also discussed their teamwork,{{cite web|url=http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/13717872.Bradford_City_strike_pair_heading_in_right_direction_____sort_of_/|title=Bradford City strike pair heading in right direction – sort of!|date=14 September 2015|access-date=14 September 2015|author=Simon Parker|publisher=Telegraph & Argus}} and the improvement in Cole's all-round game was praised by manager Phil Parkinson in October 2015.{{cite web|url=http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/13891511.Bantams_boss_delighted_that_there_is_more_than_goals_to_Cole_s_game_now/|title=Bantams boss delighted that there is more than goals to Cole's game now|date=23 October 2015|access-date=25 October 2015|author=Simon Parker|publisher=Telegraph & Argus}}

=Fleetwood Town=

Cole signed for Fleetwood Town on 22 January 2016, for an undisclosed fee.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/35383675|title=Fleetwood: Bradford's Devante Cole signs as Jamie Proctor exits|date=22 January 2016|access-date=23 January 2016|publisher=BBC Sport}} He said he felt the new club suited him better than Bradford had done.{{cite web|url=http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/14238857.Suits_you__Cole_reckons_Fleetwood_are_more_to_his_style_than_Bantams/|title=Suits you: Cole reckons Fleetwood are more to his style than Bantams|date=29 January 2016|access-date=29 January 2016|author=Simon Parker|publisher=Telegraph & Argus}}

=Wigan Athletic=

Cole signed for Wigan Athletic in January 2018.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42888305|title=Devante Cole: Wigan sign Fleetwood Town striker for undisclosed fee|date=31 January 2018|access-date=1 February 2018|publisher=BBC Sport}} He moved on loan to Burton Albion in August 2018.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45358055|title=Burton Albion sign Jake Hesketh, Jake Flannigan and Devante Cole on loan|date=30 August 2018|access-date=30 August 2018|publisher=BBC Sport}}

==Loan to Motherwell==

On 2 July 2019, Cole joined Motherwell on an initial six-month loan deal.{{cite web |title=DEVANTE COLE IS SIGNING NUMBER SEVEN |url=https://www.motherwellfc.co.uk/2019/07/02/devante-cole-is-signing-number-seven/ |website=motherwellfc.co.uk/ |publisher=Motherwell F.C. |access-date=2 July 2019 |date=2 July 2019}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48841168|title=Devante Cole: Motherwell sign Wigan forward on six-month loan|date=2 July 2019|publisher=BBC Sport}}

=Doncaster Rovers=

Cole was transferred to League One side Doncaster Rovers on 27 January 2020 on an initial deal until the end of the season.{{Cite web|title=Devante Cole signs for Doncaster Rovers|url=https://wiganathletic.com/news/2020/january/Devante-Cole-signs-for-Doncaster-Rovers/|access-date=14 July 2020|website=Wigan Athletic FC|date=27 January 2020 |language=en}}{{cite news |title=Devante Cole joins Rovers |url=https://www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk/news/2020/january/devante-cole-joins-rovers/ |access-date=27 January 2020 |work=Doncaster Rovers F.C.}} He was released by Doncaster at the end of the 2019–20 season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk/news/2020/june/retained-list-confirmed/|title=Retained list confirmed|website=www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk}}

=Motherwell=

On 2 October 2020, Cole returned to Motherwell on a contract until the end of the 2020–21 season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.motherwellfc.co.uk/2020/10/02/devante-cole-signs-for-motherwell/|title=Devante Cole signs for Motherwell|first=Motherwell Football|last=Club|date=2 October 2020}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54393657|title=Well re-sign Cole as Hylton joins County|work=BBC Sport }}

=Barnsley=

On 8 June 2021, it was announced that Cole would sign for Barnsley on a three-year contract.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57399479|title=Barnsley sign Motherwell striker Cole|work=BBC Sport }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.barnsleyfc.co.uk/news/2021/june/devante-cole/|title=WELCOME BACK, DEVANTE COLE|publisher=Barnsley Football Club|date=8 June 2021}} Cole made his first appearance for the club in a 0–1 loss to Luton Town on 17 August.{{Cite web |date=17 August 2021 |title=REDS DEFEATED BY HATTERS AT OAKWELL |url=https://www.barnsleyfc.co.uk/matches/fixtures/first-team/202122/august/barnsley-vs-luton-town-on-17-aug-21/ |access-date=21 March 2024 |website=Barnsley F.C.}} Cole scored his first goal for the club on 24 October in a 2–3 loss to rivals Sheffield United.{{Cite web |date=24 October 2021 |title=REDS BEATEN IN SOUTH YORKSHIRE DERBY |url=https://www.barnsleyfc.co.uk/matches/fixtures/first-team/202122/october/barnsley-vs-sheffield-united-on-23-oct-21/ |access-date=21 March 2024 |website=Barnsley F.C.}} On 5 August 2023, Cole scored a hat-trick in a 7–0 rout of Port Vale.{{Cite news |date=5 August 2023 |title=Barnsley 7-0 Port Vale: Devante Cole scores hat-trick as Tykes run riot |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/66345517 |access-date=21 March 2024 |work=BBC}}

He was released by Barnsley at the end of the 2023–24 season.{{Cite web |date=17 May 2024 |title=Devante Cole: Barnsley striker one of five players released |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cv20gvkerzko |access-date=17 May 2024 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}

=West Bromwich Albion=

On 31 July 2024, Cole signed for West Bromwich Albion on a two-year contract.{{Cite web |date=31 July 2024 |title=Baggies sign striker Cole following Barnsley exit |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cyj43e3xd1mo |access-date=31 July 2024 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}} On 10 August, he made his debut for the club, as a substitute, in a 3-1 win against QPR in the league.{{cite web|title=Queens Park Rangers 1-3 West Bromwich Albion |date=10 August 2024|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/queens-park-rangers-vs-west-bromwich-albion/report/509351|access-date=12 August 2024}}

International career

Cole has represented England at under-16, under-17, under-18, and under-19 levels.{{cite web|url=http://www.thefa.com/england/all-teams/players/c/devante-cole|title=Profile|access-date=19 August 2014|publisher=The Football Association|archive-date=27 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131227082021/http://www.thefa.com/england/all-teams/players/c/devante-cole|url-status=dead}}

Cole made his debut for the England under-19 team on 5 March 2014 in a friendly match against Turkey, starting the game and scoring the opening goal.{{cite web|url=http://www.thefa.com/news/england/development/2014/mar/england-v-turkey-match-report|title=England U19s shine in Chester as Young Lions beat Turkey|access-date=19 August 2014|publisher=The Football Association}} On 29 May 2014, he made a further appearance from the start in a European Championship elite qualification match against Ukraine, which England lost to a deflected 94th-minute strike that eliminated them from the final tournament.{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/under19/match/2013458--ukraine-vs-england/|title=Ukraine 1 – 0 England|access-date=19 August 2014|publisher=The Football Association}}{{cite web|url=http://www.thefa.com/news/england/development/2014/may/england-v-ukraine-u19-elite-round-match-report|title=Last minute own goal condemns England to Euro heartbreak|access-date=19 August 2014|publisher=The Football Association}}

In November 2023, Cole was called up to the Jamaica national team for a set of 2023–24 CONCACAF Nations League matches.{{Cite web|url=https://iriefm.net/andy-cole-son-devante-cole-called-up-for-reggae-boys-vs-canada-assignment/|title=Andy Cole son Devante Cole called up for Reggae Boys vs Canada assignment|first=Dwight|last=Fraser|date=13 November 2023|website=IRIE FM}}

Career statistics

rowspan="2"\|Club !rowspan="2"\|Season !colspan="3"\|League !colspan="2"\|National cup{{efn\|Includes FA Cup, Scottish Cup}} !colspan="2"\|League cup{{efn\|Includes EFL Cup, Scottish League Cup}} !colspan="2"\|Other !colspan="2"\|Total
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" \|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Manchester City \|2014–15 \|Premier League \|0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Barnsley (loan) \|2014–15 \|League One \|19	5	2	1	0	0	2	1	23	7
Milton Keynes Dons (loan) \|2014–15 \|League One \|14	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	14	3
Bradford City \|2015–16 \|League One \|19	5	4	1	0	0	1	0	24	6
rowspan="4"\|Fleetwood Town \|2015–16 \|League One \|14	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	14	2
2016–17 \|League One \|35	5	6	2	1	0	4	1	46	8
2017–18 \|League One \|28	10	5	2	1	0	0	0	34	12
colspan="2"\|Total !77	17	11	4	2	0	4	1	94	22
rowspan="4"\|Wigan Athletic \|2017–18 \|League One \|6	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	6	0
2018–19 \|Championship \|0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	1	0
2019–20 \|Championship \|0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
colspan="2"\|Total !6	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	7	0
Burton Albion (loan) \|2018–19 \|League One \|13	2	1	0	0	0	2	0	16	2
Motherwell (loan) \|2019–20 \|Scottish Premiership \|19	4	0	0	2	0	0	0	21	4
Doncaster Rovers \|2019–20 \|League One \|9	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	9	0
Motherwell \|2020–21 \|Scottish Premiership \|27	11	3	1	1	0	0	0	31	12
rowspan="4"\|Barnsley \|2021–22 \|Championship \|24	1	2	1	1	0	colspan="2"\|—	27	2
2022–23 \|League One \|45	15	3	1	2	0	3{{efn\|name=PO\|Appearance(s) in the play-offs}}	0	53	16
2023–24 \|League One \|46	18	1	0	0	0	2{{efn\|name=PO}}	0	49	18
colspan="2"\|Total !115	34	6	2	3	0	5	0	129	36
West Bromwich Albion \|2024–25 \|Championship \|14	0	1	0	1	0	0	0	16	0
colspan="3"\|Career total !331	81	28	9	10	0	14	2	383	92

Honours

Milton Keynes Dons

Football League One second-place promotion: 2014–15{{Cite web |url=https://www.mkdons.com/news/2015/december/2015-dons-clinch-promotion-in-style/ |title=2015: Dons clinch promotion in style |publisher=Milton Keynes Dons |date=30 December 2015 |access-date=23 September 2017 }}