Express & Star

Forward Reyes Cleary agrees to extend West Brom stay

Young Albion forward Reyes Cleary has agreed a new one-year contract at the club with an option of a further 12 months.

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Cleary has scored stacks of goals at Albion age group level, including recent seasons at under-18 and under-21 standard, but saw progress stunted by a couple of injuries over the last 12 months.

The hot-shot, who turned 20 in April, saw last season badly disrupted by another hamstring injury.

Prior to that, he thrashed in 58 goals in 73 games in competitive action for the under-18s and under-21s since 2020/21. His form in that time drew interest from Germany giants Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, as well as the attention of Arsenal and Tottenham, prior to Cleary's first professional deal as an 18-year-old in summer 2022.

Castle Vale-born Cleary has played six times for Albion's first team, including starts in both the EFL Cup (twice) and FA Cup. He has appeared twice as a substitute in league action having made his senior bow in January 2022 in the FA Cup against Brighton.

The option of a further 12 months is in the club's favour.

The forward netted 16 goals in 12 games at under-21s level the following campaign but ended 2022/23 with a serious muscle injury that derailed his pre-season last summer.

Cleary is most at home as a left-sided attacker, cutting inside on his right foot.

Having returned Cleary, who has been at the club since he was eight, then suffered a setback towards the end of 2023 that effectively ended his campaign.

The Express & Star revealed last week that highly-rated defender Evan Humphries has agreed his first professional deal and it is understood full-back Deago Nelson has also penned a pro contract.