West Brom have announced the signing of teenage striker Ruben Shakpoke on a one-year contract.
The Baggies have the option of extending the England youth international’s deal by a further year should they wish.
Albion confirmed the signing on their official website on Thursday [24 August] following a successful trial period at the club over the last couple of weeks.
Academy manager Richard Stevens said: “Ruben will be a good signing for us and I believe this will be a great place for him to be as well.”
Making up for lost time
Shakpoke left West Brom’s West Midlands neighbours Aston Villa earlier this summer after three years at the club, having previously spent time on Norwich City’s books.
The 19-year-old did not make the grade at Villa Park, not helped by injury problems, but he impressed enough during a trial with Albion to earn a permanent contract.
As Stevens said, a move to The Hawthorns should provide Shakpoke with an opportunity to revive his career and “make up on time he has missed through injury”.
Shakpoke is a powerful attacker – the type of player Carlos Corberan would welcome in the first team – and will no doubt be eager to show what he is capable of in order to quickly challenge for a place in the senior squad.
The Englishman featured in Albion’s Premier League 2 games against former side Villa and Blackburn Rovers during his trial spell, scoring against the latter.
West Brom will need to focus on loan deals and free agents if they are to supplement their squad before the window closes, and a move for Shakpoke therefore seems a smart piece of business on the face of it.
