Youngster signs new deal

23 August 2011 14:33
Thorne rewarded for pre-season form Roy Hodgson has shown his faith in George Thorne by offering the youngster a long term first team contract. Thorne has today signed a three-year deal, plus a year in the club’s favour, only months after signing his first professional deal. The 18-year-old midfielder was withdrawn from England’s Under-20 World Cup squad at the request of the Baggies boss to enable him to travel to the US during pre-season. The Bedford-born youngster impressed during Albion’s warm-up to the Premier League kick off and has played his way into Hodgson’s future plans at The Hawthorns. "I have been very pleased with George since I arrived at the club,” said Hodgson. "As a coach, I'm also very pleased that his efforts this season have been rewarded with a new contract. "It is a result of the fact he has become a bona fide member of our first-team squad and he is a player we very much hope will continue to develop and progress as rapidly as he has done in the past six months. "He has shown himself to be a good professional who knows what it requires to take the next step in his career. "George realises only hard work will get him there and we have to hope the effort he is putting into training sessions, which is admirable, continues to pay off." Hodgson gave Thorne his Premier League debut in the final game of last season where he helped Albion earn a point despite being 3-0 down at half time. He has now been included in Albion’s travelling party to face Bournemouth this evening in the Carling Cup. Do you think Thorne can continue his progression and become a first team regular? Have your say at Baggies Banter here.

Source: FOOTYMAD