Bio

Albion agreed scholarship terms with youngster Ryan Colesby in January 2025 following a successful trial period at the club.

The central midfielder, born in Solihull, signed at The Hawthorns until the summer of 2027. This came after grasping an initial love for the game in his early years of life for local team, Marston Green. 

Clearly destined for a higher level of competitive football, Ryan was scouted by Birmingham City and stayed with his boyhood club throughout the Pre-Academy phase. 

A better opportunity would present itself, though, switching to local side Wolverhampton Wanderers - where he developed from Under-10s until U17s - eventually signing a scholarship deal at Molineux, but it didn't work out the way he would've wanted. 

Still, chances to develop opened up at their fierce rivals at Albion, where Colesby made a positive impression on the Baggies' youth staff during his trial period in B71 - notably, scoring the final goal of a 6-4 FA Youth Cup victory over Harrogate Town which helped the U18s progress in the tournament back in December 2024.

The 2025/26 campaign brought more involvement for the young midfielder under Downing - who transitioned into the club's U21 boss in 2025 - meaning a lot of minutes in various Premier League youth competitions at a higher age group for the PL2 team. 

Colesby stood out in his own age group, too, scoring at the start of the Baggies' FA Youth Cup campaign in the 25/26 season during a 4-3 win over AFC Bournemouth at The Hawthorns. 

A calm presence on the ball, Ryan will be determined to continue controlling the pace of proceedings in youth-team games as he hopes to replicate this vital skill on the professional stage on day.