Teenage striker Jonathan Leko to be handed three-year contract at West Brom

The England U17 international made his Premier League debut for Albion at Sunderland earlier this month, and also featured in the game at Manchester City.

His explosive pace has caught the attention of other clubs like Chelsea and Man City, but the young striker who turned 17 yesterday plans to sign his first professional contract with the Baggies.

"Jonathan's a boy that's been part of our programme since the age of 11," explained academy manager Mark Harrison.

"He attended Sandwell Academy, we've been nurturing him right from those days.

"Over the last couple of years in particular he's really enhanced his development, technically, tactically, physically and mentally.

"He's had England recognition, and played for our under-21s last season."

Leko, who was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo and came to England at the age of eight, follows a strong line of attacking talent to recently emerge from the Baggies academy.

Albion have produced first team regular Saido Berahino, League Two Player of the Year Kemar Roofe, Chelsea starlet Isaiah Brown, as well as Jerome Sinclair and Yan Dhanda, who were both snapped up by Liverpool.

Baggies boss Tony Pulis has been impressed with Leko since day one.

"He was somebody that Tony has been aware of ever since he arrived at the club," revealed Harrison.

"The key thing about Jonathan is humility. He's hard-working, on Sundays he's watching the younger academy players, he's helping bring the equipment in.

"Touch wood none of this has gone to his head, that's key.

"We tell academy players you have to get 50 first-team appearances before you've made it."