Dauda Iddrisa: West Brom's boyhood Baggie and Italy youth international

The midfielder turned 17 in January and last week agreed his first professional contract at the club, a two-and-a-half year deal. Born in Brescia, Italy, but having grown up in West Bromwich, his journey to the fringes of Albion's first-team ranks is something a bit different.

Iddrisa spoke next to no English when he arrived in the region with his parents aged eight. He went to primary school in Birmingham and played his first park Sunday League football with Smethwick Rangers.

But after successful trials he joined Albion's academy around under-11s and went to school at Phoenix Collegiate in his hometown. He has since progressed up the ranks in what he describes as a "family".

Iddrisa's talent has not gone unnoticed. He was first capped by Italy's under-15s aged 15 years and 18 days and win his first under-17s cap last September. Just prior to the latter, and following a frustrating year injured, he was handed a Baggies senior debut aged 16 in the EFL Cup at Fleetwood under Carlos Corberan.

Time out injured helped Iddrisa, then a versatile defender, transition into a central midfielder with help from Albion's coaching staff. 

That change has seen the diminutive starlet flourish. In his impressive English, Iddrisa told the Express & Star: "From early on I was involved in the first team, it was a good experience, especially having just got your scholarship, that is something you don't expect. But I saw my opportunity and took it.

"It's a funny story, I used to play as a striker as under-12s and I moved to a centre-back until under-16s.

"Unfortunately I had an injury that kept me out for most of the season. I switched positions, right-back, centre-back, a bit in centre midfield.

"But since signing my scholarship and being around the professional side of football I progressed into a midfielder and want to carry on my career in midfield.

"Midfield is my main role but if I need to be centre-back and right-back I will try to perform to the best of my ability." 

It has been a breakthrough season for the midfield prospect. He was involved in senior pre-season training and some friendlies under Corberan and has played 16 games for Richard Beale's under-21s in a maiden season at that age group.

He was part of Albion under-18s who were beaten 6-0 in the FA Youth Cup quarter-final by holders Manchester City last week. It was a tough night for the Baggies teens but the scoreline flattered City.

Iddrisa, who impressed in difficult circumstances, was given a personal note of praise by City youth coach and former Premier League-winning defender Kolo Toure afterwards.

"The under-21s is a good experience at my age, especially because people are bigger and stronger than me," he added. "It makes me develop because I have to hold them off the ball."

Senior football recognition, international youth honours and a first professional contract are far removed from his earliest memories.

"I came to England at eight and I remember my first Sunday League team was Smethwick Rangers," he smiled. "That was a fun time, playing football with friends and scoring week in week out.

"I got a trial for West Brom, went through the system and I was able to sign for them, being around the same lads now I was with back in the day - it's just like family now.

"It did take me quite a while to learn the language, I didn't know much English, but we learned in school, I had to pick it up. School was a fun time.

"I signed my first pro contract with my boyhood club after seven or eight years. Being able to continue the journey at this club I've grown up with is a good experience."

 Iddrisa already has seven under-17 caps as his nation look to qualify for the under-17s European Championship.

"Being able to represent your country is a great feeling, to represent your nationality, to be able to perform and put your name out there is amazing," he said.

"I have aunties and cousins over there, my uncle is always supporting and sending me messages on Instagram, watching my games.

"I'm really proud of myself for being able to make my family proud. They tell me every week which is helpful."

With 12 minutes plus stoppages in the cup exit at Fleetwood this season he is one of precious few Italians to play first-team football for Albion.

"To be able to get on the pitch and Carlos giving me my debut was also heartwarming," said Iddrisa. "I had my dad there in the stand clapping and recording videos. He was really proud of me.

"To be around that environment at a young age prepares me for the future. I already know what I'm going to be facing so I can prepare for that and hopefully it won't take me to surprise when I get to that level."