A change of name has been accompanied by a change in fortunes with Albion for Shamir Fenelon.

The teenage striker, formerly known as Shamir Goodwin, is closer to a first team breakthrough with the Seagulls than he has ever been.

A year ago, when Albion went to Spain under their new head coach Oscar Garcia, a depleted squad had to be bolstered by seven members of the development squad.

Fenelon was not one of them but he has made the journey this time and the 19-year-old has already made a mark under Sami Hyypia.

He heads into the second match of the trip to Pinatar against Real Betis on Thursday evening as Albion’s top pre-season goalscorer.

Fenelon struck twice against Lewes. He was also on target, on Spanish soil this time, against Partick Thistle on Saturday night.

The game against Betis represents a considerable step up but Fenelon, his surname amended for family reasons, is unlikely to be daunted after the progress he has made.

Last November he was knocking in goals on loan to Tonbridge Angels in Conference south.

That earned him another loan spell, this time at the wrong end of League Two with Torquay United, where Fenelon came of age.

He made his Football League debut in January and scored his first goal the following month, a spectacular effort against Chesterfield.

Torquay were sufficiently impressed to extend his stay for the rest of the season.

Fenelon’s wholehearted attitude made him popular with supporters. Torquay insiders believe their eventual relegation can be traced back to his absence, first for a harsh red card arising from a flailing arm in an aerial challenge against Newport County and then injury.

Torquay used him on the right-wing, although in the early part of his career with Albion Fenelon was always a centre-forward.

His mother’s determination was responsible for his opportunity as an under 15. She badgered Albion into giving him a trial and he showed enough to be signed on centre of excellence forms.

Raw and not technically gifted, Fenelon’s hopes of being taken on as a professional were very much in the balance.

Albion kept faith with the boy from Crawley with speed on his side, an eye for goal and an aggressive edge to his game. He has not looked back.

His first League goal for Torquay coincided with a new contract until June 2015.

Simon Ireland, Albion’s development coach, told The Argus: “We’re very pleased with his progress.

“He has got a turn of pace, which all clubs like, a forward that can play down the middle or out wide that has got that turn of pace.

“It is always the type of player that keeps you intrigued, that you want to develop and are interested to see where they finish up.”