Football League Trophy place confirmed for West Brom academy team
A West Brom academy team will feature in the Football League Trophy next season, it has been confirmed.
Sixteen Premier League teams with category one academies have been invited into the competition for the first time.
At least six of Albion's starting XI for each game must be under-21, as of June 30.
The Baggies are expected to play Walsall in the first round of the new-look format, which opens with 16 groups of four teams.
Although the groups are yet to be announced, they will be organised by location.
Each group will include at least one club from League One, one club from League Two, and one invited team.
Academy manager Mark Harrison said: "We were enthusiastic about this idea from the outset and I'm pleased we have been invited to compete.
"It's a great opportunity for our boys to go in there and mix it with seasoned professionals at clubs where competitions such as this are a vital part of their season.
"It's a fantastic competition for our boys to tackle League One and Two opposition.
"There has been a lot of debate about whether U21 football is competitive enough and whether it truly prepares young players, mentally and physically, for first team professional football.
"This initiative has got to be a step in the right direction and I welcome it. It will also give our fans the chance to see their young players pitting their wits against tough opposition. Who knows? We might even draw Walsall."
The three group stage games will take place on the weeks commencing August 29, October 3, and November 7.
The controversial new-look format was met with criticism from several lower league clubs, with many voting against the proposed changes. However, Walsall voted in favour of the format.
The Trophy has a total prize fund of £1.95m up for grabs, including £10,000 per win and £5,000 per draw during the group stage and £100,000 for the eventual winner.
The other category one Premier League teams invited to take part are Arsenal, Chelsea, Everton, Leicester City, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Middlesbrough, Newcastle United, Southampton, Stoke City, Sunderland, Swansea City, Tottenham Hotspur, and West Ham United.
