Albion have handed four promising under-18 players their first professional contracts.
Attacker Harry French, central-defensive pair George Shaw and Antonio Perkins, as well as goalkeeper Maxwell Moses, have all penned two-year deals until June 2028.
The young quartet have heavily featured in one of the best-ever seasons for the club’s scholars - who are on course for a top-six finish in the U18 Premier League South division - as well as fitting seamlessly into the PL2 team, where they’ll hope to establish themselves further next term.
Leading talisman French has approached his maiden term in the Baggies’ post-16 programme with no fear, netting an eye-catching 23 goals and providing 10 assists across both U17 and U18 competitions with one match remaining of the current campaign.
Hailing from Newton Abbot, Devon, the 17-year-old only moved to the Black Country in July 2025 - where he penned a two-year scholarship deal - but has hit finishing heights few have managed to reach in the Academy very quickly.
What’s most impressive about the forward’s story, after this recent development in his career, is the fact he’d already gained senior experience in non-league prior to joining the Baggies - making a senior debut as a 15-year-old at former club, Tavistock.
Harry’s enjoyed plenty of memories early into his time in navy-blue-and-white; bagging a memorable Hawthorns goal in a 4-3 FA Youth Cup triumph over AFC Bournemouth, while also getting a taste of 21s football (five appearances) - which is what the forward will hope to play more of next term.
Promising defender Shaw stepped up capably to start in some big games for the PL2 team towards the end of the 2025/26 campaign, despite only being a first-year scholar.
A left-footed central defender, the Hagley-born prospect swapped one Black Country rival for the other last summer - ending an eight-year association with Wolverhampton Wanderers by signing for Albion.
George, 17, made more than 20 appearances for Chay Thompson’s 18s during his maiden year at The Hawthorns, playing his part in them reaching the quarter-finals of the U18 PL Cup, in addition to proving his threat from set-plays - netting three times and providing three assists.
Shaw exhibited his aerial ability for the 21s as well, heading in an important goal which helped the young pros edge past the Cherries 5-4 and reach the PL Cup semi-finals (where he also started in a narrow 2-1 defeat to Burnley).
Three appearances for the PL2 team came as just reward for the hopeful’s upward trajectory at the end of the campaign - momentum he’ll be determined to carry on following his first pro contract.
Cyprus U19 international Perkins has combined building leadership qualities in the U18s alongside breaking new ground with his nation.
A product of the Baggies’ youth system since the age of 13, Dudley-born Antonio started his footballing education with local sides Netherton Colts and West Brom All Stars - which is where he caught the attention of the club’s youth scouts.
Progressing through the ranks to become a scholar in 2025, the 17-year-old used his opening season on the programme to good effect; featuring in more than 25 under-18 matches, enjoying an U21s debut in the PL Cup against Brentford, as well as being handed a bow for his nation’s U19s team (whom he’d previously represented as an U17).
Playing his part in Albion U18s’ PL Cup last-eight run, the battling defender has continued developing his vocal qualities on the pitch - becoming a leader among his young colleagues and establishing relationships he’ll be keen to build on as a professional.
Shot-stopper Moses couldn’t have wished for a better end to the campaign than a breakthrough pro deal.
An England international at U16 and 17 level, Maxwell or ‘Max’, has played plenty of football this season after penning his scholarship contract last year - featuring more than 20 times for the U18s across all tournaments, together with four outings for the PL2 team - the first of which came in a 4-3 PL Cup victory over Luton at the end of 2025.
Born in Enfield, London, the goalkeeper has grown up in Worcester during his time with the Baggies - which started after impressing for local outfit, Worcester Colts. This resulted in Max joining the club’s Foundation phase and signing for Albion at the age of seven.
Ten years of development has earned the 17-year-old another proud moment in his fledgling career following the confirmation of his next step, and Academy Manager Richard Stevens believes this crop of first-year scholars penning pros exhibits a positive future ahead.
He said: “I really like the current under-17 and 18 age groups we have coming through.
“We’ve gone early with offering some first-years these pro contracts, but the rest of the young lads in that group are very much in our thoughts and are performing at a high level week-on-week.
“These boys should be an inspiration and a motivation for the next ones in that age group to join them, and we shouldn’t overlook the fact that these lads have competed at a high level all season.
“George is one of many boys who we have recruited from a different club in the 18s, and he’s embraced the opportunity he’s been given here.
“We knew what we were getting when we came in; an ultimate professional, someone who loves their football and is fully invested in all corners of his development going forward.
“His performances since he’s come in have been of a high level, in both the 18s and 21s, and it’s fully right we made George this offer, settle him down, and let him develop in the time to come over this new contract.
“Harry’s journey is different to many academy boys - playing men’s football when he was 15 in the south west and that experience of the senior game has certainly given him an edge, as well as a different perspective.
“As we’ve seen this year, he’s a clever footballer, knows how to score goals as his numbers reflect, and we hope this period of time will allow him to get to the level required to progress and play his football here.
“Antonio came into the programme at 13/14, but his investment in his mentality and physicality on the pitch is of a really high level.
“He’s had to work hard at the footballing aspects of his game over the last three years, but his ability to defend the box, awareness of the space in front and behind him, aggression when defending, and leadership qualities he possesses allow him to catch people’s eyes.
“Whether he’s been with the 21s, training with the first team, he catches people’s attention for the right reasons for being a competitor, a leader, and he can take these next couple of years anywhere he wants to.
“Maxwell’s been on the programme right from the start and it’s always positive when a player can come through the system, play at every level and get a professional contract - with the aim of playing at the top.
“He loves his football, Albion as a club, and he’s had some great experience with the England youth teams in their under-16 and 17 teams over the years which have helped him reach this milestone.
“Max is an athletic, powerful shot-stopper, who will be good for the programme and I look forward to seeing him benefit from it in the years to come.”
