West Brom confirm double transfer news in official statement as young pair depart
West Brom have confirmed that Reece Hall has followed fellow academy player Matt Richards in departing The Hawthorns on a short-term basis.
Richards has joined Southern League Premier Division Central side Stourbridge, while Hall will link up with National League North club Hereford.
Albion confirmed the double transfer news on their official website on Wednesday (20 December).
Both players will remain with their respective clubs until 16 January.
Playing time
Defender Hall has captained West Brom at Premier League 2 level this season, so he is a player the Baggies clearly see big things from.
Likewise midfielder Richards, who was voted Academy Player of the Year a couple of seasons ago.
Both players are in need of regular football, and these loan moves will provide them a chance to play with players a lot older than them.
Carlos Corberan is not afraid to use youngsters if they are good enough, but Hall and Richards do not look like challenging for a first-team place any time soon.
If these temporary moves away go to plan, though, it may well be that they are in Corberan’s thoughts ahead of next season.
Given the high number of players out of contract at The Hawthorns at the end of the season, the club may need to rely on one or two academy graduates.
Hall and Richards now have an opportunity to show they are ready to make the step up.
In other West Brom news, Adrian Goldberg has reacted to the latest takeover news at The Hawthorns.