Slaven Bilic has been left ‘gutted’ by the departure of West Bromwich Albion youngster Jack Fitzwater with his contract due to expire at the end of this month, speaking to the Birmingham Mail.
With the Baggies leading the Championship and marching towards a return to the Premier League, huge credit has to go to a number of homegrown prospects who have shone since Bilic’s arrival last summer.
Nathan Ferguson has been a revelation at right-back while Dara O’Shea and Kyle Edwards have played their part too.
But, at the age of 22, it seems that Fitzwater has missed the boat.
The Birmingham-born centre-back has not made a single Championship appearance this season and, while Bilic rates him highly, it seems that a parting of the ways is the best for all involved.
“I’m gutted for Fitz. I spoke to him, he’s a great guy. He’s a big prospect, but he has to play. For him to stay here, it would have been good for us, make no mistake,” the former Croatia boss said with Fitzwater due to become a free-agent next week.
“We could’ve kept him as an option, to be a back-up for a back-up, but for him it would have been very bad for his career. He has to go somewhere and play.
“We were in a good situation to help a player develop. In Fitz’s case, it was a pleasure to do that because he is a great guy, who has been top in training.”
Fitzwater should not be short of offers when the summer transfer window opens, given that he has proven himself in the Football League during loan spells at Fleetwood Town and Walsall.
Though while his departure is unlikely to have Baggies fans wringing their hands with worry, the impending exit of another academy graduate will cause some concern at the Hawthorns.
Nathan Ferguson is on his way to Crystal Palace at long last, five months after an £8 million move to Selhurst Park fell through due to a failed medical (Guardian).
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