Albion have made their first signing of the summer.

Teenage winger Joe Ward has joined the development squad from non-league Chelmsford City for an undisclosed fee following a successful trial.

Ward, 19, made a perky debut for the under-21s on the right-wing in their final home game of the season against Stoke at the Amex last month.

He also featured in their closing fixture at Aston Villa.

Albion swooped after West Ham rejected him for a second time. Ward also previously had trials with Ipswich and Brentford.

The Chelmsford academy product won three player-of-the-year awards in a breakthrough season in the Essex club’s first team.

He had a year left on his contract with the Vanarama Conference south outfit.

The youngster admits it will be a big step up from non-league to Barclays Under-21 Premier League football but he is relishing the challenge of following in the footsteps of the likes of Solly March who signed from Lewes and progressed from the development squad to first team football and then England under-21s.

Ward said: “It will be very different. Everyone is just mentally smarter and the defenders are tactically much better. There’s a lot more chasing and fitness involved and the technical ability of some of the players is ridiculous.

“But I feel that I can bring pace to the team, as I believe I’m very quick and am good crosser of the ball. When I get the ball I look to drive, drop forward with it and create something.

“If you are looking at players like that who have broken through the first team after being in the under-21s, with some of them even going on to represent England, then it can only motivate you.

“I’ve just got to train hard, keep my head down and do the right things to progress.”