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This article is part of Football FanCast's In The Pipeline series, which takes a look at some of the most promising young talent either linked with clubs or emerging from their academies...

West Brom have an incredibly promising youth academy.

Reaching the semi-finals of the FA Youth Cup last term provided evidence of that but they've just made a major move in terms of tying down a big prospect.

Young goalkeeper Josh Griffiths has signed a four-year extension at the Hawthorns despite not featuring for the senior side.

The 18-year-old had been courted by an unnamed Premier League club during the summer so to keep hold of him can be considered quite the coup.

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He’s been on duty with the England U20 squad this week which only shows the level at which he’s rated – usually a good sign of what’s to come.

Griffiths has featured just once this season for the U23 side in their 6-0 win over Sunderland U23s, keeping a clean sheet.

The club’s sporting and technical director Luke Dowling spotted his potential during training sessions last year which earned him the chance to be part of the first-team setup during pre-season.

Dowling referenced how former loan ace Dwight Gayle and current midfielder Jake Livermore had been keeping tabs on the Baggies starlet over the last year or so:

Albion now have a very experienced shot-stopper at the club in Ali Al-Habsi, who has played 111 times in the Premier League on top of appointing Boaz Myhill, a former Baggie himself, in a youth coaching capacity.

He should only improve with the quality that surrounds him, but his attitude will take him a long way too.

Senior goalkeeping coach Gary Walsh said:

“Apart from his potential, he’s a terrific lad who is really grounded, and that’s a big credit to him, the club and everyone who has worked with him.

“The biggest compliment I can pay him is that I keep forgetting he’s 18. His potential is there for us all to see.”

The teenager has received glowing praise and the fact he's even caused problems for Gayle in training only goes to show why he's someone to be excited about.

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