West Brom seal first summer signing with £1.3m striker swoop

Albion have sealed their first signing of the summer with a £1.3million swoop for striker Barney Stewart from Falkirk.

The 22-year-old has agreed a four-year deal at The Hawthorns, continuing a remarkable rise since making his professional debut last year.

London-born Stewart was spotted playing as an amateur for Heriot Watt University after moving to Scotland to study sports science.

He scored 19 goals in his first full season in the professional game, including 10 in the Scottish Premiership after being recalled from a loan spell at Dunfermline.

That caught the attention of several English clubs and it is Albion who have won the race for his signature.

Stewart told WBA TV: “I’m so excited by the challenge of playing in the Championship.

“I love the frequency of the games and it’s one of the best leagues in the world to watch. To be a part of the division will be incredible.

“I’m very confident that I can score the goals here at the Albion, just like I did last year for Dunfermline and Falkirk.

“I’m a confident person and I’ll always back myself. I’d absolutely love to find the same form as last year, starting in pre-season.”

Albion are also close to agreeing a deal with Chelsea for 20-year-old forward Jimmy-Jay Morgan.