West Brom sign promising young attacker - after last season's solo stunner
Albion have agreed a deal to snap up teen talent Jack Bray from Harrogate Town - after the attacker scored twice against the Baggies last term.
Bray, 18, will initially join Albion's under-21s, who are still to appoint a new head coach after Richard Beale's recent departure.
The youngster was offered a professional deal at the end of last season by League Two Harrogate Town but has opted to move to join up with Albion's academy.
Albion academy manager Richard Stevens noted the deal as "outside of our usual recruitment pathways" - after Bray grabbed the attention of the Baggies with two fine goals in a remarkable 6-4 victory for Albion under-18s against the north Yorkshire club in last season's FA Youth Cup.
Bray, who only joined Harrogate's academy to begin 2023/24, netted fine goals against Leigh Downing's under-18s as his side fell to a crazy 10-goal defeat.
Watch one of Bray's stunning efforts below.
Bray made his senior debut for Harrogate off the back of his shining display against Albion's youngsters. He featured against Grimsby in the EFL Cup for the senior set-up.
The creative attacker has signed a three-year contract after Albion paid a fee for his services, due to the out-of-contract youngster being offered new terms by Harrogate.
“In the FA Youth Cup, you play teams from different leagues, categories, and players get the chance to stand out," said academy manager Stevens.
"We watched Harrogate’s previous two matches before we played them last season and Jack stood out.
“We knew he’d be a threat against us and he was a handful throughout the 120 minutes - causing us all sorts of problems, scoring goals and being a constant threat.
“He is crafty with the ball at his feet, creative in tight areas, and has got that bit of off-the-cuff to his game which we don’t always see.
“Our job is to let him use that creativity as he progresses through the 21s programme here.
“It’s also nice for us to bring someone in from outside of our usual recruitment pathways. It’s important, and an area the ownership group are interested in, and Jack’s the first one but if we can add another two or three along the way, then it can only aid our progression as an academy.
“Jack looks ready for the challenge and we’re excited to see where he goes during his time at Albion.”
