Tony Mowbray hails star as Bilkul's ideal West Brom model

The 21-year-old Northern Ireland international checked into The Hawthorns on a long-term four-and-a-half year contract last month following his move of around £2.5million.

He has already clocked up six appearances, including four starts, for Tony Mowbray's side and has taken to life in the Championship with remarkable eye and caught the eye with energetic, composed displays.

Price was a long-term target of owners Bilkul and director of football operations Ian Pearce prior to his capture from Standard Liege in Belgium. Club accounts, released last week, showed Albion's recovery under Shilen Patel from £34m losses between 2023 and 2024 and Mowbray feels young talent ready to be developed, such as Price, is exactly what the club requires.

"I hope so - he's a wonderful kid," Mowbray said of Price's plaudits from fans and onlookers. "He's happy to do whatever you want, on the right or the left.

"I think his preference would be to come off the left on to his right foot and shoot and score. Yet he's got some competition for that, as he has to play off the other side.

"That's why we've been playing him like a running 'eight' really. Molumby and Price, both with great athleticism and legs. Price has got really good quality as well, he'll only get stronger and stronger and better.

"As I've been saying to Ian Pearce and (sporting director) Andrew Nestor, he's exactly the type of signing this club should be making. Young, strong, athletic footballers who we can hopefully give the bravery to to express their talent."

Price is one of several players of a particular age profile, generally in the early 20s, Bilkul have invested to bring to the club since their takeover. Among them are Mikey Johnston, Torbjorn Heggem, Ousmane Diakite, Callum Styles and Tammer Bany.

A major part of the group's strategy was to bring down the squad's average age, where there was little resale value, and look to inject the club with projects to be developed to help values soar.