Who is West Brom starlet Rio Parmar who scored four in derby date hammering?

Attacking midfielder Rio Parmar, who turned 18 earlier this month, is one of the latest talents to grace the older age groups of Albion's academy and he put his stamp on this thumping Premier League South triumph.

It was an eye-catching start for boss Chay Thompson in his first official game at the helm of the under-18s, having been confirmed as new under-21s chief Leigh Downing's successor last week. Thompson had already been working to oversee a strong start to the campaign with the Baggies sixth.

Parmar played a starring role here in his 45 minutes on the way back from injury in the attacker's first competitive minutes of the new season.

But 45 minutes was all he needed to dismantle Blues' defence with four goals - Albion's first four - in the second city to hand Thompson's visitors a commanding 5-2 interval lead.

Parmar showed an array of classy finishing at the Knighthood Academy centre. He lashed in a fierce left-footed finish after dispossessing a defender to level before turning in following a neat set-piece move. Parmar sealed an early hat-trick by again muscling the hosts off the ball before this time converting a delicate chip. He capped a stunning four-goal salvo with a hammered finish after Abdul Abudu's pass.

Also on the scoresheet for the Baggies were strikers Adam Okorodudu and Justin Seven-Seven, either side of the interval, before efforts from Remar McNeil - a rebound from Harry French's saved penalty - and Jaiden Francis-Caesar late on. But it was Parmar's day.

Just who is the Albion starlet who dismantled Blues on a day to remember?

Rio Parmar is no stranger to coaching staff within the Albion academy.

Although he hails from Northampton, the attacking prospect has been a member of the club's youth ranks since he was just seven.

Parmar is most at home in an attacking midfield 'No.10' role but has versatility that has seen the teen play in wide attacking or even centre-forward roles.

It is perhaps his physical frame, however, that has helped Parmar develop and flourish into a support attacker who excels arriving into the penalty area.

Having just turned 18, he stands at 6ft 2ins, a more unusual height for a player of his position, helping Parmar stand out even more.

The youngster only penned scholarship terms in the summer of 2024 but made rapid developments in Downing's under-18s last term. He was an essential part of the side who reached the FA Youth Cup quarter-final in early 2025 and was soon rewarded with an early professional deal.

Parmar, a creative passer and dribbler with an eye for goal, netted eight goals and provided four assists in 24 games for the under-18s last term. He will eye better and a breakthrough into the under-21s this time around.

What has been said?

Academy manager Richard Stevens said: "Rio’s been here since the pre-academy phase and has had to deal with growth and development, be patient, but as he’s shown during his scholarship phase this year, he’s made some really good progress. 

"We believe over the course of this contract, he can go and give himself a career which can take him to some good levels. He’s fully committed, looks after all elements of his football and it was the right decision from the club to give Rio a young professional contract."