Albion cash in on Hurst

Albion have sold England under-16 prospect James Hurst to Portsmouth.

The fee for the defender, who is rated as one of the brightest young talents in the country, is an initial payment of £250,000, which could rise to in excess of £1m depending on performance-related add-ons.

Hurst turned 16 in January and Pompey have stepped in after the player rejected the chance to stay with Albion, whose sporting and technical director Dan Ashworth said: "At 16, there's a break in players' contracts and they don't have to accept the deal on offer to them.

"Despite being here since the age of nine, James, we feel, has been unsettled by Premiership clubs since making his England debut earlier this season.

"He has perhaps elected for instant returns rather than staying with the club that has nurtured his talent over the years to get him to international level, but that is James'decision and we wish him well."

Two of Albion's other bright young talents, Lateef Elford-Alliyu and Romaine Sawyers, are two of 12 Academy players to have signed Hawthorns scholarship forms.