Seven of Albion’s young professionals have signed extended deals with the club.
Forward Eseosa Sule, defender Michael Parker and midfielder Souleyman Mandey have all penned two-year contracts until June 2027, while winger Akeel Higgins and right-back Alex Williams have agreed one-year deals with the option of a further 12 months in the club’s favour.
The Baggies’ development squad have also added attacker Torin Ntege to their ranks. The former Peterborough United youngster has signed a one-year contract at The Hawthorns, with the option of a further year in the club’s favour.
And following a serious injury sustained last term, striker Layton Love has agreed a six-month deal in B71.
Fellow forward Sule was top of the scoring charts for the U21s last season - enjoying his best year for the Baggies with 14 strikes across all Premier League youth competitions and a maiden senior appearance to his name.
Joining the Baggies from Scottish champions Celtic in January 2023, the Glaswegian made his first-team bow against Fleetwood Town in August 2024 and went on to have a progressive spell in front of goal during his opening year as a professional.
And after finding his feet in the PL2 team, the 19-year-old now has further opportunities in B71 to develop his profile and push towards senior football.
Another who impressed among the club’s young pros was towering defender Parker.
It seemed a move to The Hawthorns was always meant to be for the 20-year-old as, after a third trial with Albion in the summer of 2024, Michael was given a year to prove himself to the club’s academy staff.
This was something Parker certainly did over the 2024/25 campaign, utilising his physicality when defending as well as exhibiting a rapid turn of pace when going forward - helping him score once and provide three assists across development games.
The 6ft 5in defender, who can operate at centre-half and left-back, was named on the first-team bench for league fixtures against Burnley and Watford, and after regular involvement in training last term, Michael will be targeting more action in those surroundings.
Austrian youth international Mandey gained plenty of senior football during a productive loan spell at non-league Stourbridge last term, showing he could be a focal point after notching five goals and two assists.
Moving to Albion in September 2023 from Rangers, the powerful midfielder started in Albion’s Under-18 side but quickly joined the club’s young pros following some impactful displays in the middle of the park.
Now, with plenty of men’s football under his belt, Souleyman can continue to build his footballing CV over the next two seasons at The Hawthorns.
Sprightly attacker Higgins is another who’s set for a further term in B71 after stepping up in 2025.
The 20-year-old - who’s been with the Baggies since U13s - registered a hat-trick of assists during an eye-catching 5-0 PL2 away win against Liverpool, scored an incredible individual goal against Newcastle United and maintained a high level of performance in the 21s.
Hailing from West Bromwich, Akeel made his senior debut as a second-half substitute during the 4-1 Emirates FA Cup triumph over Aldershot Town in January 2024, and this next chapter will provide the forward with a platform to pursue more experiences in a first-team environment.
Full-back Williams brought on his development across three fronts last season; playing senior games for the first time on loan at Stratford Town, providing an attacking outlet in Albion’s PL2 team and also cementing himself in the Wales U21 setup.
The defender was selected for the Dragons’ youth team in March and June, starting games during both international breaks, with the call-ups coming after a positive spell in the Baggies’ development side, where Alex contributed four assists and scored two goals from the flanks.
With another year to build on his progress, the Warwick-born full-back - who’s been with the club since the age of 11 - can focus on fulfilling his career ambitions.
Someone who will be looking for a bright start to their Hawthorns journey is striker Ntege, who makes the move following a successful trial period in the Premier League 2 side at the end of last season.
A former academy player at Sky Bet League One side Peterborough, the London-born attacker moves to the Black Country with goalscoring experience in men’s football already under his belt following several spells in non-league.
And the 18-year-old will hope to benefit from Albion’s PDP programme - a process Ntege will hope can push him closer to senior football.
A short-term deal was also signed by target man Love, who missed last season after suffering a serious injury.
Joining Albion as an eight-year-old, the 6ft 6in striker contributed seven goal contributions (five goals, two assists) in the PL2 side over the 2023/24 campaign - the same term he made his senior debut against Aldershot and spent time on loan at non-league side, Brackley Town.
Congratulations on your new chapters with the Albion!
