West Brom tie down academy stars on professional deals

Albion today handed six academy graduates their first professional contracts with other youngsters receiving extended deals.

The Baggies have signed up goalkeeper Alex Palmer, full-back Wes Atkinson, centre-back Callum Jones, midfielder Aaron Birch, and striker Alex Jones on one-year deals with a further year's option in the club's favour.

And they have handed midfielder Samir Nabi, whose brother Adil is already a young professional at the club, a straightforward one-year contract. Palmer is from Kidderminster, Atkinson from West Bromwich, Callum Jones from Sandwell, Birch from Halesowen, Alex Jones from Wolverhampton and Nabi from Birmingham.

Young goalkeeper Jack Rose has signed a new two-year deal while centre-back Donervorn Daniels and winger Kemar Roofe have received new one-year contracts along with full-back Bradley Garmston and striker Mani O'Sullivan.

But the club have confirmed the release of defender Cameron Gayle and midfielder Jordan Francis.

Director of football administration Richard Garlick said: "Donervorn and Kemar were in and out of the first-team squad at the end of the season and were regularly training with the first team.

"These deals are a reward for that and give them the platform to see if they can break into the squad on a more regular basis.

"Jack has progressed really well and was recently called up by England Under-19s.

"We have high hopes he can really push on next season and he now has two years where he can focus and show us what he can do."

Defenders Kyle Howkins and Tom Smart and midfielders Ryan Pace, Danny Barrow and Rees Wedderburn have earned third-year scholarships while Matt Buchannon and Ged Oldnall have been released after completing second-year scholarships.