Goalkeeper Ben Cisse has committed his future to the Baggies by signing professional terms with the club.
The England youth international, who’s represented his country at under-15, 17, 18 and 19s level, has penned a two-year contract - keeping him at The Hawthorns until June 2026.
Ben has lived and breathed all things Albion during his life having grown up in the heart of West Bromwich, and reaches a proud milestone after extending his time in B71.
Cisse, who first joined the Baggies aged nine, produced a number of impressive performances on his step up to Richard Beale’s PL2 team this season - which included a vital penalty stop to earn the club’s young pros victory over Middlesborough back in January.
Shining between the sticks. 🧤
Ben Cisse is learning from the examples set by Alex Palmer and Josh Griffiths, as he looks to continue his development at the club. 😎 pic.twitter.com/nVp4F9KIGC— West Bromwich Albion (@WBA) May 2, 2024
In addition to making a seamless transition to a higher professional standard, Ben also earned a maiden call-up to the Young Lions’ U19s squad, where he made his debut in September 2023.
The 18-year-old only has to look at the current senior setup - which boasts three academy keepers - regarding the faith and opportunities given by the club’s hierarchy to its shot-stoppers.
That aspect is something which Academy Manager Richard Stevens believes Cisse can look to for inspiration, and the youth chief has full faith Albion can play a “big part” in the youngster’s professional journey.
Stevens said: “It’s important that we got Ben sorted and tied down to the club because he’s an exciting, young goalkeeper who’s well thought of by many in the game.
“The recognition of playing for his country for the last three years has been just rewards for his effort and ability, and for us as a football club there is a lot of development and potential in Ben that we’ll see the best of over time to come.
“Goalkeeping is never a ‘today’ thing. They develop over longer periods and I think it’s been important for us to give Ben time in the U21s this year, he’ll be around that programme next season for a part of it, and then over and above it afterwards to help broaden his development.
“Alex Palmer had to bide his time, Josh Griffiths had two-and-a-half-years out on loan and is still very young, but it shows as a football club we can provide the opportunities players need to get better at their job.
“That’s important for Ben to understand and we’re just delighted to have him here.
“With a lot of the boys who we’ve added to our programme this year, the local ones are really important to us because we’re a club that works hard in the local area.
“Ben is a local boy who’s been here from a young age, has always been a top performer in his groups while I’ve been here, and I think he will get better and better in this environment.
“He’s got some great support; Marcos (Abad) the first team goalkeeping coach, Boaz Myhill in the academy setup, and there’s a lot of people who think highly of him and I think we can play a big part in his journey.”
