West Brom prospect who netted against Valencia and Monchengladbach agrees first professional deal
The 18-year-old has emerged as a fine prospect after moving up to the Baggies from the capital.
Albion prospect Jaiden Francis-Caesar has signed a first professional contract with the Baggies.
The 18-year-old, who hails from London, has penned a one-year deal with an option of another 12 months in the club’s favour.
Francis-Caesar, a versatile forward, made the step from under-18s to under-21s football last season and caught the eye with some lively displays.
He netted against Valencia and Borussia Monchengladbach in the Premier League International Cup with Leigh Downing’s under-21s, and also laid on an assist in the memorable victory over Juventus.
Francis-Caesar moved to the Black Country in 2024, making an increasingly-familiar journey from the ‘XYZ Football Academy’ - a Croydon-based organisation who offer non-academy youngsters a route into the professional game.
His two-year scholarship ended this summer and the pacy forward has been rewarded with a maiden pro deal.
Academy boss Richard Stevens has laid down a challenge for Francis-Caesar to look to develop more consistency in his game.
Stevens said: “Jaiden has many good qualities and is a good addition to our programme.
“He’s one of many examples where young lads enter academies from a different route, joining us later into the scholarship programme previously.
“There are some very good physical and footballing attributes in his game and Jaiden must continue to work and build on those to know what it takes to play at the next level.
“He had a very good season last time out, played up in the 21s, scored goals, and his pace is a powerful attribute which can push him on in his career.
“We felt Jaiden needed another year here to mature, build on his game, but he now has to turn energy, passion and rawness into consistent, established performances this coming season.”