West Brom make new Harry Whitwell contract decision
West Brom have announced that Harry Whitwell has put pen to paper on a contract extension until the summer of 2026.
The Baggies confirmed in an official statement on Wednesday (21 August) that the 18-year-old midfielder has extended his stay at The Hawthorns with his previous contract due to expire next summer.
Whitwell, who turns 19 in November, was handed his first competitive first-team start by Carlos Corberan in the Carabao Cup clash with Fleetwood Town having featured in the FA Cup last term and on several substitute benches in the Championship.
West Brom close to new signings in summer transfer window at The Hawthorns
While both Corberan and the Baggies fanbase will likely be hoping for a few more high-profile additions between now and the end of the transfer window, this sort of business could prove to be just as important.
Whitlwell may not have yet commanded a regular place in the first-team squad, but he is incredibly highly thought of, so it was always going to be imperative that the Baggies tied him down to a new deal sooner rather than later.
The security of a new two-year contract means that West Brom don’t run the risk of seeing a Premier League team poaching one of their exciting young talents for next to nothing next summer when his previous deal would have run out.
It also gives the 18-year-old a bit of security around his future beyond this season which cannot be undervalued as he looks to make the big leap from academy to first-team football this season.
With Albion already out of the Carabao Cup and the start of the FA Cup a while away yet, it wouldn’t be a shock if Corberan decided to send Whitwell out on loan before the transfer window slams shut.
A temporary move further down the pyramid could help the young midfielder make the next step in his development as it has done for several of his peers over the last couple of seasons.
Alternatively, Corberan may well feel that the teenager could offer something to his first team and keep him around The Hawthorns for the foreseeable future.
In other West Brom news, “nonsense” rumours of Corberan exiting The Hawthorns have been slammed by a BBC journalist
For more West Brom news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.