West Brom snap up player formerly on West Ham United books
West Brom have signed former West Ham United youth star Donte-German Ranger after a successful trial period.
The Baggies announced the move on their official website [4 September] with the 17-year-old joining the club on a two-year scholarship until the summer of 2026.
Ranger will join Leigh Downing and the U18s side after impressing the boss with cameos in the opening two English U-18 Premier League fixtures and the U-18 Premier League Cup.
West Brom sign Donte-German Ranger
The Baggies are looking to the future after a successful summer transfer window for Carlos Corberan, and the focus after the 30 August deadline is to build up the academy setup.
Ranger is one of many to join the West Brom ranks and after two successful outings against Sunderland and Arsenal, Downing has perhaps found the forward to build his side around for the upcoming season.
The young forward failed to find the back of the net in his trial, but West Brom must believe Ranger has the potential to rise through the youth ranks and stake a claim for a starting berth in Corberan’s side in the future.
West Brom finished ninth in the Southern U18s Premier League table last term with Divine Onyemachi and Eseosa Sule the club’s joint top goalscorers with nine league goals each.
It was a valiant effort from Downing’s side last term from a club not expected to come anywhere close to Chelsea, West Ham and Arsenal at the league summit.
While it may not have worked out for Ranger in East London, the Hammers’ loss is the Baggies’ gain and Parker will be playing regular football in a competitive division in the most important years of his development.
In other West Brom news, Paddy McNair has been handed the perfect chance to win over Baggies boss Carlos Corberan.
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