West Bromwich Albion have completed the permanent signing of midfielder Toby Collyer from Manchester United. The 22-year-old returns to The Hawthorns after a loan spell last season, signing a four-year contract for an undisclosed fee, as confirmed by the club's official website. The Baggies, currently sixth in the Championship with six points from three games, face Charlton Athletic this week before a home match against Watford on September 5th.
Why did Toby Collyer choose to return?
Toby Collyer cited multiple reasons for his permanent move back to West Bromwich Albion. He highlighted the size of the club, his positive experience during his previous loan, and a strong desire to prove his ability after feeling he didn't reach his desired levels last season. Above all, Collyer pointed to the influence of head coach James Morrison, a former midfielder himself, as a key factor in his decision.
Collyer told the club's media that Morrison was "the perfect person" to develop his game. He praised the manager's hands-on approach during his loan, which included regular video analysis and specific on-pitch drills. The young midfielder believes there is significant room for growth in his game and is confident the environment at Albion will help him achieve it. He also noted the high quality and energy of the current squad, which he observed during recent performances.
How did the U17s fare in their cup opener?
The club's Under-17 side began their Premier League Cup campaign with a 2-0 defeat away to Cardiff City, according to a match report from the Welsh club. Cardiff's goals came from Taona Nyakuhwa and Gruff Evans in a game where West Brom, as a Category One academy side, were considered favourites. Nyakuhwa described the win as a relief after coming off the bench for Cardiff's U18s, while teammate Hugo Daniel spoke about the challenge of adapting to a higher age group.
The loss places early pressure on Albion's young squad in a group that also contains Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal. The result provides a platform for Cardiff to build on in the competition. Entry to the match at Cardiff International Sports Campus was free for all supporters.
What is the team news for the Charlton match?
Nathan Jones' Charlton Athletic travel to The Hawthorns on Wednesday evening in fine form, having won all three of their opening Championship fixtures. According to a preview published by Charlton Athletic Football Club, the Addicks will be without several players including Collins Sichenje, Kayne Ramsay, and Matty Godden due to injury. New loan signing Tyler Bindon could feature for the visitors.
For West Brom, winger Mikey Johnston is the only reported injury concern. The Baggies suffered their first league defeat of the season last time out, a 3-1 loss at Middlesbrough. This leaves them three points behind league leaders Charlton in the early table. You can view the full Championship standings on our site. The last meeting between these sides at The Hawthorns ended in a 1-1 draw back in February.
Where does the squad stand after three games?
Carlos Corberan's side have made a mixed start to the new Championship season. They began with consecutive wins over Norwich City and Burnley before the setback at Middlesbrough. Overall, the team has scored six goals and conceded five, giving them a positive goal difference of one. Their next challenge after Charlton is a home fixture against ninth-placed Watford, with all upcoming matches listed on our fixtures page.
The return of Toby Collyer adds depth to a midfield competing in a tight early league race. His four-year contract represents a long-term commitment from the club as they aim to improve on last season's 21st-place finish. The squad's current details are available on our squad page.
