Four Albion youngsters have taken a memorable step in their development by agreeing professional terms with the club.
Deago Nelson and Evan Humphries have signed two-year deals which keep them at The Hawthorns until June 2026, while Archie Kirton and Adriel Walker have penned one-year contracts until the summer of 2025 - with both having a further year's option in the club’s favour.
The new pros will join up with Richard Beale’s squad in the next stage of the Professional Development Phase programme and each youngster has already played 21s football during their time in B71 - none more so than promising defender Nelson.
Hailing from Kings Heath, Deago joined the Baggies’ ranks at the end of U13s and although he began the 2023/24 campaign in Leigh Downing’s scholarship ranks, the right-back was quickly handed opportunities to excel in the age group above by PDP boss Beale.
The 18-year-old proved his versatility at left-back, too, as he racked up 19 appearances across all Premier League youth competitions for the PL2 team last term, and Nelson will be well-placed to kick on as a professional with a full season at the level already under his belt.
Meanwhile Humphries, a commanding left-sided defender, begins his professional journey at The Hawthorns having first joined Albion as a nine-year-old.
Evan, who grew up in Cheltenham, was thrust into PL2 football as a first-year scholar in the second half of the 2022/23 term, and after skippering the 18s during the second half of the 23/24 campaign, the full-back will bring important leadership qualities to the 21s group.
Boyhood Albion supporter Kirton fulfilled a lifelong dream by signing his pro deal, with the right-sided midfielder holding a long-standing affiliation with the club.
A Stourbridge boy, Archie has been a regular season ticket holder at The Hawthorns while also playing in the club’s youth ranks since he was six-years-old.
Now, the winger will hope to carry positive momentum from his last U18 Premier League season into the next stage of his development in B71, after contributing four goals and an assist from the right flank.
And left-footed striker Walker is another local player who marks a proud moment in his early career by agreeing pro terms.
Growing up just a stone’s throw away from The Hawthorns in Smethwick, Adriel has lived and breathed all things Albion and was first on the club’s books at the age of 10.
Able to play across all of the forward positions, Walker ended his scholarship as one of the highest attacking contributors by scoring eight goals and providing one assist - with the challenge of replicating this for the PL2 team in the 24/25 season next up for the academy graduate.
Congrats on signing your pros, lads!
