Chris Mepham’s arrival at Albion sees the trend of adding Sky Bet Championship experience to Ryan Mason’s squad continue.
With two recent promotions (in 2022 and 2025) from England’s second tier under his belt, the Wales international adds further depth and knowhow to the Baggies’ backline for the long season ahead.
Mepham’s career may not even have reached the established stage it’s at now had he let an early release from Chelsea’s academy affect his progression.
Having been in the Blues’ youth system since the age of 10, the centre-back was released as a 14-year-old - with subsequent failed trials at Watford and boyhood club, Queens Park Rangers, making the defender question his future in the game.
Chris’ release as a teenager came at a time when his uncle had been diagnosed with motor neurone disease, leaving him questioning (as he revealed in an interview to the BBC in 2020) whether he should “call it a day” on his footballing ambitions.
But perseverance and self-belief earned Mepham another chance at Brentford in 2012 after impressing the Bees’ recruitment staff during a reserve match for North Greenford United.
The 6ft 4in defender grasped his opportunity with both hands at the West London outfit - gaining a scholarship contract in 2014 before going on to sign his first professional contract in 2016 - progressing into their B side as a result.
Harrow-born Chris’ performances among Brentford’s young professionals were beginning to help him knock on the door of senior football, and his case was strengthened further in January 2017.
Those positive impressions provided Mepham with a place on the bench for his club’s Emirates FA Cup clash against Eastleigh - a game the defender played the remaining 10 minutes of to help the Bees seal a 5-1 win but, more importantly, claim his first senior appearance in the process.
On reflection, the 2016/17 campaign was a real career catalyst for Chris; making his senior Brentford bow, earning an extended two-year contract in TW8, being named the B team’s Player of the Year, while also making strides on the international stage for Wales.
The young Dragons’ U20 side handed the defender his maiden outing in June 2017, but Mepham’s growing reputation in the game meant he was soon included in the U21 fold - making his bow for this age group later that same year (September).
It was clear the centre-half was ready for a breakthrough season, and the 2017/18 term certainly provided that in a Bees shirt - featuring in 21 Sky Bet Championship matches and netting a first-ever senior goal against Sheffield United in March 2018.
The month of March that year will be one which lives long in the memory for Chris as just eight days prior to gaining a taste for goalscoring in the men’s game, he claimed a first full Wales cap as a substitute in their 6-0 friendly triumph over China.
Now an established first-team player in red and white, admirers were keen to test Chris in England’s elite tier. As the curtain closed on the year 2018, so did the one on the Wales youth international’s time at Brentford - consequently moving south to AFC Bournemouth.
Mepham’s move to the seaside town proved to be a fruitful one - starting nine Premier League matches (making 13 appearances in total) to help the Cherries secure, at the time, their highest-ever league finish after ending the 2018/19 campaign in 14th spot.
The proceeding five seasons at the Vitality Stadium saw Bournemouth jump between the country’s first and second divisions, and in addition to earning his first promotion to England’s elite tier - Chris racked up 61 top-flight games.
On the international stage, Mepham played a prominent part in two major tournaments for his nation - reaching the knockouts of the European Championships in 2021, as well starting every group-stage match at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Game time became limited for the defender during his final two seasons on the south coast, but a year at Sunderland gave the established Welsh international a much-needed stage to remind people of his capabilities.
Playing 40 times at the Stadium of Light over the 2024/25 term, and helping the North East outfit reach a coveted play-off final at Wembley Stadium, Mepham won his second career promotion - stepping off the bench as early as the eighth minute under the arches as the Black Cats beat Sheffield United 2-1.
With 127 second-tier outings, 49 Cymru caps, and a plethora of experience at the top end of the Championship to his name, the central defender will be confident of helping his new Albion team-mates make a success of the 2025/26 season.
