Albion are delighted to confirm the signing of 19-year-old striker Ruben Shakpoke after a successful trial period.
Shakpoke has signed a one-year deal at The Hawthorns, with an option of a further year in the club’s favour.
An England youth international at U15s level, the powerful attacker has featured in both of Albion’s Premier League 2 fixtures against Aston Villa and Blackburn Rovers this season, scoring in the latter during an entertaining 3-3 draw at The Hawthorns.
Formerly of the Villans’ youth setup, Shakpoke started his professional journey at Norwich City at the age of 11 before moving to the Baggies’ local rivals as a 16-year-old.
But after departing Villa Park this summer following three years there, Academy Manager Richard Stevens is confident The Hawthorns is now the right place to help Ruben “make up for lost time” and kick on in his career.
“Ruben will be a good signing for us and I believe this will be a great place for him to be as well,” said Stevens.
“Ruben was signed three years ago by Aston Villa from Norwich. For whatever reason, it didn’t work out there and he’s had some long-term injuries which has been a challenge for him.
“What we want to be is the club which gives him the chance to make up on the time he’s missed through injury, and see if we can find those levels and be the player which the footballing world recognised from a few years ago.
“He’s a great boy, is really humble, has come in and really embraced what Albion is all about and he’s really buying into the work we’ve been doing with him since he’s joined us.
“Hopefully, this can be a place he can settle, work himself out and I think it’ll be a good place for him.”
