West Brom strike agreement with non-league club for midfielder

The Baggies have confirmed that under-21 midfielder Matt Richards has signed for non-league side Alvechurch on a one-month loan deal.

Richards, who has racked up 70 appearances for Albion at under-18 and under-21 level, follows in the footsteps of a fellow academy graduate. Ronnie Hollingshead, a goalkeeper, recently completed a move to Alvechurch in the search for first-team football.

It’s not the first time Richards has moved on loan as the 20-year-old spent time at fellow Southern Premier Central Division side Stourbridge last season. Since then, Richards, a defensive-minded midfielder, has been captaining Richard Beale’s Premier League 2 side.

Richards could make his debut for Alvechurch this weekend as they take on Stourbridge - of all teams - in the Isuzu FA Trophy.