'Quality' West Brom youngster grabs Devon derby headlines and hailed by Exeter boss for top class finish
Akeel Higgins has become the latest West Brom youngster to impress out on line - as he grabbed the headlines in the Devon derby on Thursday evening.
The 20-year-old Albion forward, who has been in and around the first team set up at Albion and made his senior debut in the FA Cup in January 2024 - signed for Exeter City on a season long loan back in the summer.
He has made a handful of appearances so far - making five substitute appearances and one start for the Grecians, ahead of their big derby clash with Plymouth Argyle on Thursday evening.
Higgins was thrown in for his second start for the club - and got himself on the scoresheet as he grabbed his first professional goal in the 2-0 win.
The forward beat the offside trap and produced a deft finish over the keeper to wrap the game up and give them home side a memorable victory.
The striker has impressed his manager Gary Caldwell - who insisted the 'quality' Albion forward has had to bide his time - but has outlined just how good he is.
He said: "He has been building, he's been a bit of a slow burner.
"We've had to build him up gradually, but we've all seen the quality, the players, his team-mates see the quality he has every single day, but he's now managing to get that into 60, 70 minutes I think he played tonight.
"He needs to keep working, he needs to keep progressing, but his talent is undoubted.
"Anyone who runs in front of the Big Bank and attempts to dink a goalie like that has got talent, and it's up to us to harness that and keep bringing more of that out on a weekly basis."
