Taylor Gardner-Hickman says signing a new long-term contract at his boyhood club is the “best birthday present” he’s ever had.
The academy graduate, who turned 20 on Thursday, has penned a new four-and-a-half year deal which keeps him at The Hawthorns until the summer of 2026.
The versatile youngster has enjoyed a life-changing few months having made his senior debut against Arsenal in the Carabao Cup in August, before going on to produce a man-of-the-match display on his league debut in the club’s 1-0 win over Hull City.
Gardner-Hickman has also impressed in Sky Bet Championship clashes with Coventry City and Reading, and he says his immediate focus now is to keep on learning and improving as much as he can.
He said: “I’m absolutely delighted.
“This is my boyhood club. I’ve been here since I was seven and to finally achieve a long-term contract is a dream come true.
“It’s been a dream of mine since I was a little boy. It’s where I started, my family are from the area and we all support the Albion. It means the world to my family and I.
“When we all found out that there was going to be a new deal on the table, I think we were all speechless. I wanted to get pen to paper straight away.
“It’s been brilliant to be around the first-team squad. I’ve had a lot of help from the boys and from the staff. They’ve all made me feel so welcome and so comfortable.
“I’ve been working really hard and I was hoping that one day my chance would come. Thankfully it came and I’ve been fortunate enough to be around the squad for a while now.
“I want to carry on progressing, learning from the players and the staff and improving every day.
“The gaffer has been great with me. He’s been brilliant with me on a one-to-one level, helping me progress and learn different aspects of the game.
“I’d like to thank every single person at the club. Without everyone’s help, I wouldn’t be here now signing a new long-term deal.
“I’m really, really proud. It’s the best birthday present I’ve ever had.”
