Nigel Quashie in delighted reaction to West Brom contract news on Harry Whitwell
Harry Whitwell’s new West Brom contract has left Nigel Quashie overjoyed as he posted his congratulations to the youngster online.
Albion announced the teenage midfielder had signed his first professional deal at the club on Thursday (17 November), having made the step up to the under-21s team in Premier League 2 this season.
He has made nine appearances in the competition this year, off the back of 13 outings for the under-18s in the previous campaign, and one of his predecessors as a Baggies midfielder was delighted at the news.
Reacting to the news from the club on his personal Twitter account on Friday (18 November) Quashie said: “Nothing better than seeing young players from the club developing and improving to earn a professional contract. Well done!”
Development
Whitwell’s deal runs until 2025 and marks a swift rise in a short space of time, especially with new boss Carlos Corberan already having him train with the senior squad.
The 17-year-old might be benefitting from the upheaval at the club of late, in that he has been an important member of Richard Beale’s squad, and the coach was required to take over the first-team after Steve Bruce’s sacking until Corberan was appointed.
He has clearly caught the eye for the younger age groups, and it is perhaps no coincidence that the only victory the under-18s have recorded this season is in the one game Whitwell dropped back down to play in.
It is always encouraging to see a youngster building their way up the levels towards the first team, and could suggest the tide is turning with regards to youth talent remaining at the club long-term.
In the last decade fans have seen a conveyor belt of potential stars exit for other clubs’ where the youth set up is more established, so there is a sense of what might have been in many cases.
But with the likes of Taylor Gardner-Hickman, Reyes Cleary, and Ethan Ingram either in or knocking on the door of the first team it could be a sign that things are finally changing for the better in that regard.
In other West Brom news, one summer signing has stood out head and shoulders above the rest while a great deal of excitement has proven a let down with another in the Albion transfer ratings so far.