Nathan Ferguson has put pen to paper on his first professional contract with West Bromwich Albion.
Alan Pardew has told West Brom’s official website that Nathan Ferguson was the answer when he asked the Baggies coaches who the best player at the club was who was not yet on a professional contract, and insisted that it took him less than three minutes to make his mind up on the 17-year-old.
The club have today confirmed on their official website that Ferguson has signed his first professional deal at The Hawthorns, and that should keep him with the side until the summer of 2020.
And Pardew has suggested that Ferguson getting a contract was virtually inevitable given the reviews the manager received about the teenager shortly after his appointment earlier in the season and what he saw himself when he had a closer look at Ferguson.
“He’s a young player I heard about when I arrived and I spoke to the staff and asked who was outstanding, the best player not signed to a professional contract.
“His name was on almost everyone’s lips and it took me about two and a half minutes [to make up my mind].”
While things have not exactly gone to plan for the Baggies on the pitch this season – they go into Saturday’s clash with Stoke sat in the bottom three in the Premier League – news of Ferguson’s deal will certainly provide the club with a lift, especially as it comes so soon after Ahmed Hegazi’s permanent move was confirmed.
Ferguson may not be ready for regular first-team football just yet, but getting him tied down to a new deal is a real statement if they do deem him to be the brightest prospect at the club.
And West Brom fans will now be hoping that the positive news regarding Hegazi and Ferguson is followed by some better results on the pitch and a good January transfer window that does their survival hopes the world of good.
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