What West Brom have said as Baggies sign attacker with "game-changing ability" | OneFootball

West Brom have completed the signing of a highly-rated Harrogate Town youngster.

West Brom have completed the signing of Jack Bray from Harrogate Town ahead of the new Championship season.

The Baggies have confirmed that the 18-year-old will move into their U21 side for the time being, with a view to potentially becoming a first-team player in the future.

The youngster made his league debut last season, coming off the bench in December in a clash away to Grimsby Town.

He has agreed a three-year deal with West Brom to complete the switch to the Championship side this summer.

West Brom open up on Jack Bray signing

West Brom academy manager, Richard Stevens, has praised Bray’s ability and has welcomed his arrival into the club’s academy team.

He highlighted the forward’s performances in the FA Youth Cup, as well as his impressive ability to play in tight spaces.

“It’s great to have Jack here,” said Stevens, via the club’s official website.

“He’s a great person, has a lovely family behind him, loves his football and he will be a good acquisition to the group.

“In the FA Youth Cup, you play teams from different leagues and categories, and players get the chance to stand out.

“We watched Harrogate’s previous two matches before we played them last season and Jack stood out. We knew he’d be a threat against us, and he was a handful throughout the 120 minutes - causing us all sorts of problems, scoring goals and being a constant threat.

“He is crafty with the ball at his feet, creative in tight areas, and has got that bit of off-the-cuff to his game which we don’t always see.

“Our job is to let him use that creativity as he progresses through the 21s programme here.”

How Jack Bray fits into West Brom’s recruitment strategy

Stevens also outlined the importance of bringing in players to the youth academy that have experience in another environment, which Bray can provide.

“It’s also nice for us to bring someone in from outside of our usual recruitment pathways,” he continued.

“It’s important, and an area the ownership group are interested in, and Jack’s the first one but if we can add another two or three along the way, then it can only aid our progression as an academy.

“Jack looks ready for the challenge, and we’re excited to see where he goes during his time at Albion.”

West Brom’s first-team squad will get their new season underway with a home clash against Blackburn Rovers on 9 August.

Bray signing has big potential for West Brom

Bray has obviously impressed at youth level, and will now get the chance to take a big step up in his career by joining the Baggies’ academy system.

While this won’t have an immediate impact on the first-team squad at West Brom, this is a move that could have positive ramifications long-term.

Stevens’ comments about bringing in someone from outside are also interesting, and shows the club aren’t committed to just one approach for recruitment, which is positive.

If Bray can develop his game at youth level even further, then there’s every chance he could break into Albion’s senior squad in the not too distant future.