West Brom defender handed first international call-up with son of Baggies legend

West Brom defender Alex Williams has received his first call-up to the Wales under-21 national team.

Williams is one of three uncapped players that have been named in the squad for the first time. Matthew Jones' side face Lithuania in a 2025 UEFA EURO Under-21 qualifier before playing Morocco in a friendly out in Turkey.

The 19-year-old makes his progression having made his under-19 debut last season, earning four caps. He is yet to make his senior debut for the Baggies, but is a prominent member of their under-21s side and has played 13 times in the Premier League 2.

Williams is under contract until the summer of 2025 having signed a two-and-a-half-year deal in January 2023. He is described by the club as an 'enthusiastic defender who plays with confidence, energy, and is a great crosser of the ball'.

Williams, born in Warwick, but captain of Wales' age-grade teams is named alongside Zac Ashworth who is currently out on loan at Bolton Wanderers. Ashworth has played 22 times for Bolton this season, but hasn't played for the last five matches.

A familiar surname to West Brom fans in the Wales under-21s squad is Koumas. Lewis Koumas, son of Jason who played for the club from 2002 to 2007 is included. Koumas junior burst on to the scene with Liverpool thiss season and made his debut at the end of February in the FA Cup.

The 18-year-old was born in Chester but qualifies for Wales through Jason who was born in Wrexham, whilst he is also eligible to play for Cyprus through his paternal grandfather. Wales are confident that Jason Koumas will choose to represent them over England, having already played for the under-19s team.

Cymru U21: Ed BEACH (Gateshead – on loan from Chelsea), Evan WATTS (Swansea City), Matt BAKER (Newport County – on loan from Stoke City), Terence MILES (Liverpool), Luca HOOLE (Bristol Rovers), Jay WILLIAMS (Sutton United), Zac ASHWORTH (Bolton Wanderers – on loan from West Bromwich Albion), Owen BECK (Dundee FC – on loan from Liverpool), Tom DAVIES (Kilmarnock – on loan from Cardiff City), Fin STEVENS (Oxford United – on loan from Brentford), Alex WILLIAMS (West Bromwich Albion), Eli KING (Ross County – on loan from Cardiff City), Joel COTTERILL (Swansea City), Joel COLWILL (Cardiff City), Charlie CREW (Leeds United), Oli HAMMOND (Oldham Athletic), Ben LLOYD (Swansea City), Oliver EWING (Leicester City), Luke HARRIS (Exeter City – on loan from Fulham), Chris POPOV (Leicester City), Pat JONES (Huddersfield Town), Lewis KOUMAS (Liverpool), Cian ASHFORD (Cardiff City).