Thorne delight at new deal

West Bromwich Albion youngster George Thorne has agreed a new three-year contract with the Baggies.

The 18-year-old midfielder made his Barclays Premier League debut against Newcastle United on the final day of the 2010/11 season, and has played a part in both matches so far on the club's pre-season tour of the United States.
The new deal will keep the academy product at the Hawthorns until the summer of 2014."This new contract will give me more confidence. It's another stepping stone for me and hopefully I can push on and be a big part of what's going on at the club.He told the club website: "I'm delighted the club were willing to offer me a new contract. Hopefully I can prove I am worthy of another one."I've come through the Academy and I know the majority of the staff well. For them to show faith in me and back me like this can only help me."The gaffer would have had his say in it and I'm delighted to be in and around the first-team squad at the moment."Thorne was withdrawn from the England squad for last month's Under-20 World Cup to take a full part in pre-season with Albion.Now he is relishing being part of the senior squad on tour and is delighted at the way he and other youngsters have been accepted by the more experienced players.He added: "It was an honour to be called up to the England squad for the Under-20s World Cup.
"It's not as if I've come here to make the numbers up. I'm playing games and everyone is involved in training."The young lads haven't just been brought out here for the sake of it. Everyone has been brought out here for the same reason."Being with the team and training with them day in and day out means they trust you with the ball, they trust you on the pitch and you can have a laugh with them off the pitch."But personally, it can only be better for me to be around the first team at Albion, at this stage of my career."It's a good team spirit and it's good to be part of. I see these players as team-mates now."The other younger lads involved also feel comfortable because everyone trusts each other and the gaffer is really good with his encouragement of the younger lads."To be playing around senior internationals and people that have got 100 caps - you can't really ask for any more as a youngster.