12 players sign first professional contracts

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Charlie Hanson

2025-07-08T16:00+01:00

12 youngsters have signed their new deals. 📷 by Paul Hazlewood.

Twelve players in our men’s academy have signed their first professional contract.

Joe Belmont, Lorenz Ferdinand, Matthew Hayden, Harry Howell, Henry Kasvosve, Darius Lane, Callum Mackley, Shane Nti, Nehemiah Oriola, Yussif Owusu, Tyler Silsby and Freddie Simmonds have all committed their futures to Albion.

Academy manager Ian Buckman said, “We’re pleased to see this cohort of players sign their first professional contracts here, with a number of them at the club from a very young age.

“All of them have already had some form of experience with the under-21s, while a few have been involved with the first team.

“We look forward to them continuing their careers with us and helping them develop over the coming years.”

Here’s their pathways up to this point:

Joe Belmont (18) joined Albion from Liverpool in 2023. The striker has represented Wales up to under-19 level, while he made six Premier League 2 appearances last season, scoring twice.

Lorenz Ferdinand (18) joined Albion as an under-13. He spent two months on loan with Havant & Waterlooville last season, having made his Premier League 2 debut in January this year. He previously made 20 league appearances for our under-18s.

Matthew Hayden (18) came through the Albion academy, joining as an under-13. He made his debut for our under-18s in October 2022 and has gone onto make 30 league appearances in Premier League South. He made his Under-21 debut in a Premier League Cup match in February 2025.

Harry Howell (17) joined us at under-9 level. He progressed through the age groups before making his Premier League debut in May 2025, coming on for the final six minutes as his cousin Jack Hinshelwood scored the winner in a 3-2 victory over Liverpool. He has represented England up to under-17 level, making his debut in September 2024.

Henry Kasvosve (17) joined Albion from Bristol City in 2024 and made 11 league appearances for our Under-18s last season. He has represented Wales up to Under-19 level.

Darius Lane (17) joined Albion as an under-12. He made his Premier League 2 debut in February 2025, while has also represented the USA at youth level.

Callum Mackley (18) joined Albion as an under-13. He progressed through the age groups, before making his Premier League 2 debut in January this year. He has gone onto make six league appearances for the under-21s.

Shane Nti (18) joined as an under-14 and was a regular in the Under-18s for two years before making his debut for the Under-21s in February 2025.

Nehemiah Oriola (18) joined us from Manchester United in 2023, having previously been with West Ham. He made his Premier League 2 debut in February this year, going onto make six appearances for Shannon Ruth’s team.

Yussif Owusu (19) joined us from Chelsea in 2022, making the step up to the Under-21s last season, being handed his Premier League 2 debut on the opening day of the season. He scored his first goal for the team in a 2-1 win over Derby County.

Tyler Silsby (17) came through the Albion academy, joining as an under-14. He made his Premier League 2 debut in February 2025 in a 1-0 defeat to Everton. That came off the back of an impressive season with the under-18s, with the winger scoring nine goals in 17 appearances during the 2024/25 campaign. He was handed his England Under-16 debut in December 2023.

Freddie Simmonds (17) joined Albion at under-9 level. He was named in a Premier League matchday squad for the first time in April 2025. He made his Premier League 2 debut in a 4-2 win over Liverpool in January 2024 and has gone onto make 18 league appearances for the under-21s. Freddie has represented England at under-17 level, making his debut in September 2023.