West Brom star signing claims big two player of the season awards

The Norwegian centre-back, a £525,000 signing from IF Brommapojkarna in Sweden last summer, has enjoyed a stellar first season with the Baggies.

He has been a model of consistency under both permanent head coaches this season and identified as the type of signing which brings hope for the new ownership group's recruitment moving forward.

Heggem had not missed a single Championship fixture until last Tuesday at Bristol City, but returned from an ankle injury to star in Saturday's 2-1 home victory over Watford.

The 26-year-old has made 41 appearances and scored once in his debut Baggies campaign and also became a full international for Norway, winning the first of five caps in October as a nod to his club form.

The defender, who started the season playing at left-back but moved into the heart of the backline, signed a three-year Albion contract upon arriving last summer.

He won the gongs voted for by supports and his peers in the dressing room in the black tie awards night at The Hawthorns, where players including men's, women's and academy, staff, ownership and supporters were in attendance.

Owner and chairman Shilen Patel addressed attendees with a speech. Sporting director Andrew Nestor and managing director Mark Miles were present, as well as first team boss Tony Mowbray and his staff.

Winger Tom Fellows was named Albion's young player of the season for the second season running.

The 21-year-old has clocked up 13 assists in the Championship - the most in the division - in his first full season as a first-team player.

Academy graduate Fellows' fine campaign has also earned England youth recognition. Assists number 12 and 13 were secured in the victory over Watford.

Matty Crowther, the north-east born midfielder who was brought to the club by coach and former Baggie James Morrison, was named academy player of the season.

Crowther missed the ceremony - and appeared via video link - as he started for Richard Beale's under-21s in the thrilling 4-3 victory over Arsenal in Solihull on Monday night.

Cole Deeming and Eseosa Sule each scored twice to strengthen 18th-placed Albion's position to finish in the top 16 of the PL2 and secure play-off action and European competition in the International Cup competition. The youngsters travel to Middlesbrough on Friday for their final game of the season, knowing a win on Teesside would guarantee a top-16 spot.

Siobhan Hodgetts-Still's women's side were also recognised at the event with staff and players in attendance.

Centre-back Izzy Green, an academy graduate, was named players' player of the season.

Attacker Rhianne Oakley, who signed from Cardiff last summer, landed the supporters' award. 

Albion Women's young player of the season went to Taylor Reynolds at the end of her second season at the club. Women's academy player went to Asiah Janny.

Hodgetts-Still's side sit in seventh, mid-table, of the National League Northern Premier. They were edged out 3-2 by third-placed Stoke on Sunday and play their final league game at leaders Nottingham Forest on Sunday week. Forest are joint-top, vying for the title with Wolves.

Two days later the Baggies Women contest for silverware in the Birmingham County FA Challenge Cup final, where they face holders Rugby Borough at Walsall's Bescot.

The 2024/25 disability player of the season was awarded to star powerchair player Chris Gordon.

Gordon is Albion powerchair coach, captain and a hall of fame inductee of the Albion Foundation.