Ten teenagers embarked on their scholarship journeys with Albion after penning terms ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.
Archie Saeed (defender), Archie Williams (attacker), Dylan Nasibu (defender), Ethan Smith (attacker), Frazer Billings (attacker), Jack Lines (goalkeeper), James Bythell (midfielder), Lewis Shead (midfielder), Tyrell Hutchinson (defender) and Reuben Saa (defender) have all signed two-year deals until June 2028.
These first-year scholars will work under Under-18s boss Chay Thompson and Assistant PDP Coach, Daniel Bryson, who together created a successful culture in their maiden year leading the group last season.
The young Baggies enjoyed a record-breaking league campaign, finishing sixth in the U18 Premier League South division, reaching the quarter-finals of the U18 PL Cup, while also making the semi-finals of the U17 PL Cup.
Overall, it was a successful season for last term’s first-year scholars, and those high standards are something which Academy Manager Richard Stevens hopes can inspire the latest intake of hopefuls looking to continue their development at The Hawthorns.
Stevens said: "I'm really excited by the group coming into the scholarship group.
"A lot of the boys entering the programme have been at the club since Foundation phase. There's lots of ability, enthusiasm and they're going to draw on the culture which the second-year scholars have created.
"I see this group embracing this culture we've established at Albion and growing it further for years to come.
"They're heavily invested in the club, their individual development and there's some really talented footballers in there - with more than a few of them playing in the U18s last season as well.
"There's some good individuals in there, but they're going to have to embrace the programme because it's a big life change going from schoolboy to scholarship phase.
"All of a sudden, you eat, sleep and breathe football six days a week and everything is geared around them becoming the best they can.
"But I believe these boys will take to that aspect and run with it. There's only good times ahead for them and I'm looking forward to seeing how they make the step up."
