Rekeem Harper
{{short description|English footballer (born 2000)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2020}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Rekeem Harper
| fullname = Rekeem Jordon Harper{{ENFA}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|2000|3|8|df=y}}{{cite web |title=Rekeem Harper |url=https://www.11v11.com/players/rekeem-harper-254098/ |work=11v11.com |publisher=AFS Enterprises |access-date=25 November 2017}}
| birth_place = Birmingham, England{{Soccerway|rekeem-harper/453152|access-date=25 November 2017}}
| height = {{height|ft=6|in=2}}{{cite news |last1=Watson |first1=Stuart |title=Town make offer for West Brom midfielder Harper |url=https://www.eadt.co.uk/news/21278118.town-make-offer-west-brom-midfielder-harper/ |access-date=3 November 2024 |work=East Anglian Daily Times |date=10 June 2021 |language=en}}
| position = Midfielder
| currentclub = Barrow
| clubnumber =
| youthyears1 = 2012–2017
| youthclubs1 = West Bromwich Albion
| years1 = 2017–2021
| clubs1 = West Bromwich Albion
| caps1 = 29
| goals1 = 1
| years2 = 2017
| clubs2 = → Blackburn Rovers (loan)
| caps2 = 4
| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2021
| clubs3 = → Birmingham City (loan)
| caps3 = 18
| goals3 = 0
| years4 = 2021–2023
| clubs4 = Ipswich Town
| caps4 = 13
| goals4 = 0
| years5 = 2022
| clubs5 = → Crewe Alexandra (loan)
| caps5 = 15
| goals5 = 0
| years6 = 2022–2023
| clubs6 = → Exeter City (loan)
| caps6 = 20
| goals6 = 1
| years7 = 2023–2024
| clubs7 = Burton Albion
| caps7 = 27
| goals7 = 0
| years8 = 2024–2025
| clubs8 = Port Vale
| caps8 = 18
| goals8 = 1
| years9 = 2025–
| clubs9 = Barrow
| caps9 = 0
| goals9 = 0
| club-update = 10:14, 5 May 2025 (UTC)
| nationalyears1 = 2017
| nationalteam1 = England U17
| nationalcaps1 = 3
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| nationalyears2 = 2018–2019
| nationalteam2 = England U19
| nationalcaps2 = 7
| nationalgoals2 = 0
}}
Rekeem Jordan Harper (born 8 March 2000) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for {{English football updater|Barrow}} club Barrow. He represented England up to under-19 level.
Born in Birmingham, Harper came through the Academy at West Bromwich Albion, turning professional after making his first appearance in the Premier League in August 2017. He spent much of the first half of the 2017–18 season on loan at Blackburn Rovers. He was named West Brom's Young Player of the Year for the 2018–19 campaign and made ten Championship appearances as the club secured promotion back to the Premier League at the end of the 2019–20 season. He spent the second half of the 2020–21 season on loan at Birmingham City. He was sold to League One club Ipswich Town for a £500,000 fee in June 2021. He spent the second half of the 2021–22 season on loan at Crewe Alexandra and the whole of the 2022–23 season at Exeter City. He left Ipswich and spent the 2023–24 season with Burton Albion before he joined Port Vale in November 2024. He was promoted out of League Two with the club at the end of the 2024–25 season. He joined Barrow in June 2025.
Early life
Rekeem Jordon Harper was born in Birmingham on 8 March 2000. He attended Aston Manor Academy and went to Aston Villa matches at Villa Park with family and friends as a child.{{cite news |last1=Wilson |first1=Matt |title=Aston lad Rekeem Harper enjoys bragging rights after West Brom's derby win |url=https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/football/west-bromwich-albion/2019/02/17/aston-lad-rekeem-harper-enjoys-bragging-rights-after-west-broms-derby-win/ |access-date=2 November 2024 |work=Express and Star |date=17 February 2019 |language=en}}
Club career
=West Bromwich Albion=
Harper joined West Bromwich Albion at the age of 12. He spent five years in the West Brom Academy, where he was converted from a striker into a box-to-box midfielder.{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Mike |title=Vale stretched too far in FA Cup exit |url=https://portvalethevaliant.substack.com/p/vale-stretched-too-far-in-fa-cup |access-date=3 November 2024 |work=Valiant's Substack |date=3 November 2024}} He made his professional debut on 12 August 2017 as a second-half substitute in Albion's 1–0 win over AFC Bournemouth, in doing so becoming only the second Premier League player to have been born in the 2000s.{{cite news |first=Amy |last=Lofthouse |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40835423 |title=West Bromwich Albion 1–0 Bournemouth |website=BBC Sport |date=12 August 2017 |access-date=13 August 2017}} The source actually says "21st century", however the 21st century started in 2001, not 2000. In August 2017, Harper signed his first professional contract with the club, a deal to run for two years.{{cite web |url=https://www.wba.co.uk/news/2017/august/harper-out-on-loan-after-penning-pro-contract/ |title=Harper out on loan after penning pro contract |website=www.wba.co.uk |date=31 August 2017 |access-date=23 October 2017}} Manager Tony Pulis looked to get the teenager out on loan to gain experience in the EFL before giving him more gametime in the Premier League.{{cite news |last1=Suart |first1=Paul |title=West Brom teenager Rekeem Harper "suited" to the Albion way |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/west-brom-teenager-rekeem-harper-13475037 |access-date=3 November 2024 |work=Birmingham Live |date=14 August 2017 |language=en}} On 31 August, newly-relegated League One club Blackburn Rovers signed Harper on loan for the 2017–18 season.{{cite news |title=Blackburn Rovers FC |url=https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2017/august/rovers-sign-premier-league-prodigy/ |access-date=2 November 2024 |date=31 August 2017}} Manager Tony Mowbray said it was an opportunity for the youngster to "play some football and enjoy himself and show everyone his talent" whilst competing with Corry Evans, Peter Whittingham and Willem Tomlinson for a first-team spot alongside Richard Smallwood.{{cite news |last1=Sharpe |first1=Rich |title='He's an exciting project' - Tony Mowbray has heard nothing but good things about Rovers loanee Rekeem Harper |url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/15511351.hes-exciting-project---tony-mowbray-heard-nothing-good-things-rovers-loanee-rekeem-harper/ |access-date=3 November 2024 |work=Lancashire Telegraph |date=3 September 2017}}{{cite news |last1=Lucy |first1=Warren |title=Blackburn Rovers FC |url=https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2017/december/mowbray-happy-with-central-options/ |access-date=3 November 2024 |date=29 December 2017}} He made his first start for Rovers on 12 September in the club's 1–0 win over Scunthorpe United. He said he was learning from the older pros at Ewood Park.{{cite news |last1=Sharpe |first1=Rich |title=Rovers loan spell a learning curve on and off the pitch for West Brom teenager Rekeem Harper |url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/15663531.rovers-loan-spell-learning-curve-off-pitch-west-brom-teenager-rekeem-harper/ |access-date=3 November 2024 |work=Lancashire Telegraph |date=16 November 2017}} He received a red card for a professional foul in an FA Cup tie against Crewe Alexandra on 3 December – Mowbray said he was "baffled" by the referee's decision.{{cite news |last1=Sharpe |first1=Rich |title=Tony Mowbray remains an admirer of Rovers loanee Rekeem Harper as he backs him to recover from red card |url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/15709326.Tony_Mowbray_remains_an_admirer_of_Rovers_loanee_Rekeem_Harper_as_he_backs_him_to_recover_from_red_card/ |access-date=3 November 2024 |work=Lancashire Telegraph |date=8 December 2017}}{{cite news |last1=Grant |first1=Ryan |title=Blackburn Rovers FC |url=https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2017/december/rovers-to-consider-red-card-appeal/ |access-date=3 November 2024 |date=3 December 2017}} He made nine appearances for Blackburn, of which just one was a league start, before new Albion manager Alan Pardew recalled him to The Hawthorns in the New Year as he looked to personally assess the club's young players.{{cite news |last1=Wilson |first1=Matt |title=West Brom recall Rekeem Harper from Blackburn Rovers loan |url=https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/football/west-bromwich-albion/2018/01/02/west-brom-recall-rekeem-harper-from-blackburn-rovers-loan/ |access-date=3 November 2024 |work=Express & Star |date=2 January 2018 |language=en}}{{cite news |title=Young loanees return to The Hawthorns {{!}} West Bromwich Albion |url=https://www.wba.co.uk/news/2018/january/young-loanees-return-to-the-hawthorns |access-date=3 November 2024 |work=West Bromwich Albion FC |date=2 January 2018 |language=en}}
After returning to West Brom, Harper made his first appearance of the 2018–19 season in an EFL Cup tie on 14 August, starting in a 1–0 win against Luton Town. His playing time was initially limited under manager Darren Moore as contract negotiations stalled, with Jake Livermore, Gareth Barry and James Morrison ahead of him in the pecking order, though in January he managed to establish himself in the team behind a front two of Dwight Gayle and Jay Rodriguez following a suspension to Livermore.{{cite news |last1=Watson |first1=Stuart |title=Harper has 'wonderful balance', 'frightening power' and 'no limits' |url=https://www.eadt.co.uk/news/21278034.harper-wonderful-balance-frightening-power-no-limits/ |access-date=3 November 2024 |work=East Anglian Daily Times |date=26 June 2021 |language=en}} He scored the first senior goal of his career on 27 April, a 79th-minute winner in a 2–1 win over Rotherham United in Albion's final home game of the 2018–19 season.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47994364 |title=West Bromwich Albion 2–1 Rotherham |website=BBC Sport |date=27 April 2019 |access-date=16 May 2019}} Caretaker manager Jimmy Shan, who had coached Harper throughout his time at the West Brom Academy, said that "he's come into the changing room at the end of the game with a smile from ear to ear".{{cite news |title='It was a fantastic moment' - Shan {{!}} West Bromwich Albion |url=https://www.wba.co.uk/news/2019/april/it-was-a-fantastic-moment---shan |access-date=3 November 2024 |work=West Bromwich Albion FC |date=27 April 2019 |language=en}} Harper made 23 appearances throughout the season, scoring once, helping West Brom to qualify for the EFL Championship play-offs following a fourth-place league finish. His performances during the season earned him the club's Young Player of the Year award.{{cite news |title=Albion's 2018/19 award winners {{!}} West Bromwich Albion |url=https://www.wba.co.uk/news/2019/april/albions-201819-award-winners |access-date=2 November 2024 |work=West Bromwich Albion FC |date=27 April 2019 |language=en}} In July 2019, following many months of negotiations, he signed a new three-year contract with West Brom.{{cite news |title=EFL Championship: West Brom ready to agree new contract with Rekeem Harper |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46988129 |access-date=3 November 2024 |work=BBC Sport |date=24 January 2019}}{{cite news |title=Rekeem Harper: West Bromwich Albion midfielder extends contract |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48894837 |access-date=2 November 2024 |work=BBC Sport |date=6 July 2019}} He had previously been linked with moves to Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Juventus.{{cite news |title=Liverpool & Tottenham Competing for Out-of-Contract West Brom Youngster Rekeem Harper |url=https://www.si.com/soccer/2019/06/22/liverpool-tottenham-competing-out-contract-west-brom-youngster-rekeem-harper |access-date=3 November 2024 |work=SI |date=22 June 2019}}
Harper made his first appearance of the 2019–20 season as a second-half substitute in the season's opening match, a 2–1 win against Nottingham Forest.{{cite news |last1=Wright |first1=Danny |title=West Brom news: Harper should worry about future |url=https://www.westbromnews.co.uk/2019/11/20/view-west-brom-player-should-worry-about-hawthorns-future-if-he-doesnt-feature-v-sheff-weds/ |access-date=3 November 2024 |work=West Brom News |date=20 November 2019}} Harper found regular game time limited during the season under new manager Slaven Bilić – who criticised his application, having to wait until 25 February before he made his first league start under the new manager whilst Sawyers was serving a suspension.{{cite news |last1=Chapman |first1=Joseph |title=West Brom's 'great talent' who must seize any Sheff Wed chance |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/west-broms-great-talent-who-17283226 |access-date=3 November 2024 |work=Birmingham Live |date=19 November 2019 |language=en}}{{cite news |last1=Chapman |first1=Joseph |title=How Rekeem Harper forced his way back into Slaven Bilic's plans |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/how-rekeem-harper-forced-way-17814938 |access-date=3 November 2024 |work=Birmingham Live |date=26 February 2020 |language=en}} He played well and went on to make four starts and six substitute appearances in the league to help West Brom to win promotion to the Premier League following a second-place finish in the Championship. He made 13 appearances in total during the season and was praised by Bilic for improving as a footballer.{{cite news |last1=Masi |first1=Joseph |title=Slaven Bilic praise for West Brom's Rekeem Harper |url=https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/football/west-bromwich-albion/2020/07/04/slaven-bilic-praise-for-west-broms-rekeem-harper/ |access-date=3 November 2024 |work=Express & Star |date=4 July 2020 |language=en}}
Following West Brom's return to the Premier League, Harper made his first appearance of the 2020–21 season on the opening match day, coming on as a substitute in a 3–0 defeat to Leicester City. He scored his first goal of the season in the following match against Harrogate Town in an EFL Cup second round tie on 16 September, scoring Albion's opening goal in a 3–0 win with a shot from outside the 18-yard box. His only other appearance for the Baggies during the 2020–21 season came as a substitute in a 4–0 loss to Arsenal on 2 January. He fell behind Romaine Sawyers, Jake Livermore and Conor Gallagher in the pecking order as Bilic felt that he lacked consistency.{{cite news |last1=Cooke |first1=Crippy |title=Rekeem Harper explains his decision to leave West Brom on loan |url=https://readwestbrom.com/2021/01/22/rekeem-harper-explains-his-decision-to-leave-west-brom-on-loan/ |access-date=3 November 2024 |work=Read West Brom |date=22 January 2021 |language=en}}{{cite news |last1=Chapman |first1=Joseph |title=Bilic drops January hint as Harper's future is spotlighted |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/slaven-bilic-drops-january-hint-19378033 |access-date=3 November 2024 |work=Birmingham Live |date=1 December 2020 |language=en}} New manager Sam Allardyce allowed him to leave the club on loan. On 21 January, Harper joined Championship club Birmingham City on loan for the remainder of the 2020–21 season.{{cite news |title=Rekeem Harper: West Brom midfielder joins Birmingham City on loan |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55752845 |access-date=2 November 2024 |work=BBC Sport |date=21 January 2021}} He was signed to link midfield and attack as a number eight.{{cite news |last1=Dick |first1=Brian |last2=Chapman |first2=Joseph |title=West Brom writer delivers verdict on Blues target Rekeem Harper |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/thats-challenge-west-brom-verdict-19670215 |access-date=3 November 2024 |work=Birmingham Live |date=21 January 2021 |language=en}} He made his debut on 30 January as a second-half substitute in a 1–1 draw with Coventry City.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55776574 |title=Birmingham City 1–1 Coventry City |website=BBC Sport |date=30 January 2021 |access-date=30 January 2021}} He played well for Lee Bowyer's Blues despite the team struggling and falling to some heavy defeats and he said that Bowyer lifted the mood of the dressing room at St Andrew's after he replaced Aitor Karanka as manager.{{cite news |last1=Dick |first1=Brian |title=Rekeem Harper makes 'knows what he is doing' Bowyer comment |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-man-delivers-knows-20231073 |access-date=3 November 2024 |work=Birmingham Live |date=22 March 2021 |language=en}} Harper made 18 appearances in all competitions during his time on loan at Birmingham. A permanent transfer away from West Brom was arranged, with the final deal only confirmed once incoming manager Valérien Ismaël approved of it.{{cite news |last1=Apicella |first1=Liam |title=Midfielder completes Ipswich move |url=https://www.suffolknews.co.uk/ipswich/sport/midfielder-completes-ipswich-move-9204928/ |access-date=3 November 2024 |work=Suffolk News |date=25 June 2021 |language=en}}
=Ipswich Town=
On 25 June 2021, Harper joined Ipswich Town for an undisclosed fee, believed to be £500,000 and rising to £1 million if all clauses were met.{{cite news |last1=Masi |first1=Joseph |title=West Brom put Rekeem Harper's switch on hold |url=https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/football/west-bromwich-albion/2021/06/21/west-brom-put-rekeem-harpers-switch-on-hold/ |access-date=3 November 2024 |work=Express and Star |date=21 June 2021 |language=en}} He signed a three-year contract with the club, with the option of a further one-year extension.{{cite web |title=Town Sign Rekeem Harper |url= https://www.itfc.co.uk/news/2021/june/ipswich-complete-signing-of-rekeem-harper/ |first=Steve |last=Pearce |publisher=Ipswich Town FC |date=25 June 2021 |access-date=25 June 2021}} He made his debut for the club in the first game of the season against Morecambe at Portman Road on 7 August and started the first six games of the 2021–22 season alongside Lee Evans, though dropped down the pecking order after Paul Cook signed Sam Morsy.{{cite news |last1=Watson |first1=Stuart |title=Harper's contract terminated by Town |url=https://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/sport/23619559.ipswich-town-rekeem-harper-contract-terminated/ |access-date=3 November 2024 |work=Ipswich Star |date=28 June 2023 |language=en}} He appeared 18 times in all competitions for the Tractor Boys before departing on loan.{{cite news |last1=Hale |first1=Mikey |title=BOSS ON REKEEM HARPER |url=https://www.itfc.co.uk/news/2022/april/kieran-mckenna-on-rekeem-harper/ |access-date=3 November 2024 |work=Ipswich Town FC |date=22 April 2022 |language=en}} On 31 January 2022, Harper joined fellow League One side Crewe Alexandra, who were 13 places below Ipswich and six points shy of safety from relegation, on loan for the remainder of the 2021–22 season.{{cite news |title=Rekeem Harper Joins On Loan |url=https://www.crewealex.net/news/2022/january/reekem-harper-joins-on-loan/ |access-date=2 November 2024 |work=Crewe Alexandra FC |date=31 January 2022}}{{cite news |title=Rekeem Harper: Ipswich Town loan midfielder to Crewe Alexandra |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60204939 |access-date=3 November 2024 |work=BBC Sport |date=31 January 2022}} Manager Kieran McKenna said that the loan move worked for all parties as Crewe boss David Artell and his coaching staff followed the club's "tradition of a good way of doing things on the pitch".{{cite news |title=McKenna: Harper Crewe Loan Works For All Parties - Ipswich Town News |url=https://www.twtd.co.uk/ipswich-town-news/42073/mckenna-harper-crewe-loan-works-for-all-parties |access-date=3 November 2024 |work=TWTD.co.uk |date=3 February 2024 |language=en}} The Railwaymen were relegated at the end of the season after losing in 15 of Harper's 18 appearances at Gresty Road.{{cite news |last1=Reeves |first1=James |title=Has Rekeem Harper got a future at Ipswich Town? Here's how he's done so far Exeter City |url=https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/has-rekeem-harper-got-a-future-at-ipswich-town-heres-how-hes-done-so-far-exeter-city/ |access-date=3 November 2024 |work=FootballLeagueWorld |date=1 December 2022 |language=en}}{{cite news |last1=Gent |first1=Oli |title=The ex-West Brom and Ipswich Town star struggling to fulfil his potential |url=https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/the-lost-files-the-former-west-brom-and-ipswich-town/ |access-date=3 November 2024 |work=FootballLeagueWorld |date=12 March 2024 |language=en}}
On 24 August 2022, Harper joined League One side Exeter City on loan for the 2022–23 season.{{Cite web | url = https://www.eadt.co.uk/sport/ipswich-town/rekeem-harper-joins-exeter-city-on-loan-9231980 | work = East Anglian Daily Times | access-date = 24 August 2022 | title = Midfielder Harper goes on loan to League One rivals | first = Mark | last = Heath | date = 24 August 2022}} Marcus Flitcroft, Head of Player Recruitment for the Grecians, stated that "he's a dynamic and composed midfielder that... we have [been] monitoring for a while".{{cite news |title=✍️ Rekeem Harper is a Grecian {{!}} Exeter City F.C. |url=https://www.exetercityfc.co.uk/news/2022/august/rekeem-harper-signs-for-exeter-city |access-date=3 November 2024 |work=Exeter City FC |date=24 August 2022 |language=en}} He began well at St James Park, contributing two assists as he formed a strong early partnership with Archie Collins in a 3–4–1–2 shape under the stewardship of Matt Taylor. However, he did not feature from the appointment of manager Gary Caldwell on 24 October until he impressed in a surprise inclusion at Milton Keynes Dons on 28 January.{{cite news |last1=Clark |first1=Daniel |title=Rekeem Harper gives Exeter City a reminder of his class |url=https://www.devonlive.com/sport/football/football-news/rekeem-harper-gives-exeter-city-8087759 |access-date=3 November 2024 |work=Devon Live |date=30 January 2023 |language=en}} On 18 February, he was shown a red card after picking up two yellow cards in a 1–0 defeat at Port Vale, which led Caldwell to heavily criticise the referee.{{cite news |last1=Clark |first1=Daniel |title=Gary Caldwell unimpressed by Rekeem Harper's red card |url=https://www.devonlive.com/sport/football/football-news/gary-caldwell-unimpressed-rekeem-harpers-8164451 |access-date=3 November 2024 |work=Devon Live |date=18 February 2023 |language=en}} Harper's contract with Ipswich was terminated by mutual consent on 28 June 2023.{{cite news |title=Harper Contract Terminated By Mutual Consent - Ipswich Town News |url=https://www.twtd.co.uk/ipswich-town-news/45134/harper-contract-terminated-by-mutual-consent |access-date=3 November 2024 |work=TWTD.co.uk |date=28 June 2023 |language=en}}
=Burton Albion=
On 29 June 2023, Harper joined League One club Burton Albion on a two-year deal.{{cite news |last1=Slater |first1=Rob |title=Brewers Sign Midfielder Rekeem Harper |url=https://www.burtonalbionfc.co.uk/news/2023/june/2906-rekeem/ |access-date=2 November 2024 |work=Burton Albion FC |date=29 June 2023}} He said that "the manager has seen the strengths in my game and seen the things to work on. He has ambitions and as a player I share those visions."{{cite news |title=Rekeem Harper & Kegs Chauke: Burton Albion sign ex-Ipswich and Southampton midfielders |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66053420 |access-date=3 November 2024 |work=BBC Sport |date=29 June 2023}} He made 34 appearances across the 2023–24 season, though never managed to secure a consistent place in the first XI as the Brewers rotated managers from Dino Maamria to Gary Mills and then Martin Paterson.{{cite news |last1=Halls |first1=Ross |title=Former Town midfielder departs League One club |url=https://www.eadt.co.uk/sport/24556275.ipswich-town-rekeem-harper-leaves-burton-mutual-consent/ |access-date=3 November 2024 |work=East Anglian Daily Times |date=2 September 2024 |language=en}} He left the Pirelli Stadium by mutual consent on 30 August 2024.{{cite news |title=Rekeem Harper Departs Burton Albion By Mutual Consent |url=https://www.burtonalbionfc.co.uk/news/2024/august/30/rekeem-harper-departs-burton-albion-by-mutual-consent/ |access-date=2 November 2024 |work=Burton Albion FC |date=30 August 2024}} Bendik Hareide, the Brewers sporting director, explained that the club saw "a bit bigger potential" in Kegs Chauke over Harper.{{cite news |last1=Crawford |first1=Colston |title=Why Bennett and Chauke made the cut for Albion |url=https://www.staffordshire-live.co.uk/sport/football/bennett-chauke-made-cut-albion-9542702 |access-date=3 November 2024 |work=Staffordshire Live |date=10 September 2024 |language=en}}
=Port Vale=
On 1 November 2024, Harper was reunited with his former West Brom manager Darren Moore when he joined League Two club Port Vale on a deal until the end of the 2024–25 season.{{cite news |title=Rekeem Harper is a Valiant! {{!}} Port Vale FC |url=https://www.port-vale.co.uk/news/rekeem-harper-valiant |access-date=2 November 2024 |work=Port Vale FC |date=1 November 2024 |language=en}} He was sent off on his league debut for the Valiants in a 1–1 draw with local rivals Crewe Alexandra at Vale Park on 25 November.{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Mike |title=Staying top despite late drama |url=https://portvalethevaliant.substack.com/p/staying-top-despite-late-drama |access-date=26 November 2024 |work=Valiant's Substack |date=26 November 2024}} He returned to the first XI, though was then sidelined with a muscle strain the following month.{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Mike |title=Selection problems as winless run continues |url=https://portvalethevaliant.substack.com/p/selection-problems-as-winless-run |access-date=30 December 2024 |work=Valiant's Substack |date=27 December 2024}} He was released upon the expiry of his contract at the end of the season after promotion was secured.{{cite news |title=Retained List 2025 confirmed {{!}} Port Vale FC |url=https://www.port-vale.co.uk/news/retained-list-2025-confirmed |access-date=13 May 2025 |work=Port Vale FC |date=12 May 2025 |language=en}}
=Barrow=
On 16 June 2025, Harper returned to League Two by signing a two-year deal with Barrow.{{cite news |title=Rekeem Harper Signs |url=https://www.barrowafc.com/news/2025/june/16/rekeem-harper-signs/ |access-date=16 June 2025 |work=Barrow A.F.C|date=16 June 2025 |language=en}} He said that his ambitions aligned with that of manager Andy Whing.{{cite news |title=Rekeem Harper: Barrow sign midfielder from Port Vale |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c9w1jk91w2zo |access-date=16 June 2025 |work=BBC Sport |date=16 June 2025}}
International career
Harper was born in England of Jamaican descent.{{Cite web |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/rakeem-harper/ |title={{sic|hide=y|Ra|keem}} Harper |website=worldfootball.net |access-date=21 June 2023}} In February 2017, he represented England U17 in matches against Portugal, Germany and the Netherlands.{{cite news |url=https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/football/west-bromwich-albion/2017/02/15/west-brom-youngsters-getting-england-calls-delighting-academy-manager-mark-harrison/ |title=England call-ups for West Brom youngsters delighting academy manager Mark Harrison |newspaper=Express & Star |date=15 February 2017 |access-date=12 September 2018}} In September 2018, he started for England Under-19 against Belgium.{{cite web |url=http://www.thefa.com/news/2018/sep/10/england-u19-u20-reports-100918 |title=England U19s enjoy 2–1 victory away in Belgium |publisher=The Football Association |date=10 September 2018 |access-date=12 September 2018}} He played alongside Phil Foden and Jadon Sancho, and later said that "I remember... looking at those players and thinking this is the level you want to be at every week" and that "it's a really special memory I hold".{{cite news |last1=Masi |first1=Joseph |title=West Brom's Rekeem Harper keen to emulate England stars |url=https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/football/west-bromwich-albion/2021/06/07/west-broms-rekeem-harper-keen-to-emulate-england-stars/ |access-date=3 November 2024 |work=Express and Star |date=7 June 2021 |language=en}}
Style of play
Harper is a versatile and intelligent midfielder who can contribute in both attack and defence with his strong physical attributes and sound technical ability.{{cite news |last1=Gray |first1=Lewis |title=Port Vale Confirm Signing Of Former Premier League Midfielder |url=https://therealefl.co.uk/2024/11/01/port-vale-confirm-signing-of-former-premier-league-midfielder/ |access-date=3 November 2024 |work=The Real EFL |date=1 November 2024}}{{cite news |last1=Analytics |first1=ITFC |title=Scout Report: Rekeem Harper |url=https://itfcanalytics.medium.com/scout-report-rekeem-harper-804572cb675a |access-date=3 November 2024 |work=Medium |date=26 June 2021 |language=en}} He describes himself as "an all-rounded midfielder who likes to play forward and take risk, and most importantly I'm a hard worker".{{cite news |title=💬 Rekeem Harper on joining Exeter City {{!}} Exeter City F.C. |url=https://www.exetercityfc.co.uk/news/2022/august/rekeem-interview |access-date=3 November 2024 |work=Exeter City FC |date=24 August 2022 |language=en}} His balance and powerful box-to-box style as a teenager earned him comparisons to Patrick Vieira.{{cite news |last1=Fisher |first1=Ben |title=Ten Football League teenagers to watch in 2019 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/football-league-blog/2019/jan/09/ten-football-league-teenagers-watch-2019 |access-date=3 November 2024 |work=The Guardian |date=9 January 2019}} His career declined since that time, however.{{cite news |title=Rekeem Harper: Exeter City move a chance for midfielder to become 'best version of myself' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63006881 |access-date=3 November 2024 |work=BBC Sport |date=23 September 2022}} He is a player who requires his confidence to be built up in order to play at his best.{{cite news |last1=James |first1=Stuart |title=Rekeem Harper 'at perfect place' to get his career back on track |url=https://www.devonlive.com/sport/football/football-news/rekeem-harper-at-perfect-place-7616709 |access-date=3 November 2024 |work=Devon Live |date=22 September 2022 |language=en}}
Career statistics
{{updated|match played 3 May 2025}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition | ||||||||||
| rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|FA Cup !colspan="2"|EFL Cup !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| West Bromwich Albion U23s
|2016–17{{soccerbase season|96090|2016|access-date=18 October 2017}} |colspan=3|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 3{{efn|name="EFT"|Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy}} | 0 | 3 | 0 | ||||
| rowspan=5|West Bromwich Albion
|2017–18{{soccerbase season|96090|2017|access-date=4 October 2017}} |1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 2 | 0 | |||
| 2018–19{{soccerbase season|96090|2018|access-date=27 April 2019}}
|16 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1{{efn|name="CPO"|Appearance in Championship play-offs}} | 0 | 23 | 1 | |
| 2019–20{{soccerbase season|96090|2019|access-date=2 August 2020}}
|Championship |10 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 13 | 0 | ||
| 2020–21{{soccerbase season|96090|2020|access-date=8 May 2021}}
|Premier League |2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | colspan=2|— | 4 | 1 | ||
| colspan=2|Total
!29||1||5||0||7||1||1||0||42||2 | ||||||||||
| Blackburn Rovers (loan)
|4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 2{{efn|name="EFT"}} | 0 | 9 | 0 | ||
| Birmingham City (loan)
|Championship |18 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 18 | 0 | ||||
| rowspan=3|Ipswich Town
|2021–22{{soccerbase season|96090|2021|accessdate=21 June 2023}} |League One |13 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3{{efn|name="EFT"}} | 0 | 18 | 0 | |
| 2022–23{{soccerbase season|96090|2022|accessdate=21 June 2023}}
|League One |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| colspan=2|Total
!13||0||2||0||1||0||3||0||19||0 | ||||||||||
| Crewe Alexandra (loan)
|League One |15 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 15 | 0 | ||||
| Exeter City (loan)
|League One |20 | 1 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 3{{efn|name="EFT"}} | 0 | 23 | 1 | ||
| Burton Albion
|2023–24{{soccerbase season|96090|2023|access-date=29 April 2024}} |League One |27 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5{{efn|name="EFT"}} | 0 | 34 | 0 | |
| Port Vale
|2024–25{{soccerbase season|96090|2024|access-date=29 April 2024}} |18 | 1 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 3{{efn|name="EFT"}} | 1 | 21 | 2 | ||
| colspan="3"|Career total
!144 | 3 | 11 | 0 | 9 | 1 | 20 | 1 | 184 | 5 |
{{notelist}}
Honours
West Bromwich Albion
- EFL Championship second-place promotion: 2019–20{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53412768 |first = Ged| last = Scott|title=West Bromwich Albion 2–2 Queens Park Rangers |website=BBC Sport |date=22 July 2020 |access-date=14 July 2021}}
Port Vale
- EFL League Two second-place promotion: 2024–25{{cite web |url=https://www.soccerbase.com/tournaments/tournament.sd?tourn_id=2110 |title=League Two: 2024/25: Current table |website=Soccerbase |publisher=Centurycomm |access-date=3 May 2025}}
{{cite web |title=England - Port Vale FC - Results, fixtures, squad, statistics, photos, videos and news - Soccerway |url=https://uk.soccerway.com/teams/england/port-vale-fc/710/squad/ |website=uk.soccerway.com |access-date=6 May 2025 }}
Individual
- West Bromwich Albion Young Player of the Year: 2018–19
References
{{reflist}}
{{Port Vale F.C. squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Harper, Rekeem}}
Category:Footballers from Birmingham, West Midlands
Category:English men's footballers
Category:England men's youth international footballers
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:West Bromwich Albion F.C. players
Category:Blackburn Rovers F.C. players
Category:Birmingham City F.C. players
Category:Ipswich Town F.C. players
Category:Crewe Alexandra F.C. players
Category:Exeter City F.C. players
Category:Burton Albion F.C. players
Category:Port Vale F.C. players
Category:Barrow A.F.C. players
Category:Premier League players
Category:English Football League players
Category:Black British sportsmen
Category:21st-century Black British people
Category:English people of Jamaican descent