England Under-21s hotshot Saido Berahino has settled any speculation over his future by signing a new contract with West Bromwich Albion.
The striker has been in fine form with club and country this season, netting six goals in four games with England along with a further six goals for the Baggies.
And he has been rewarded with a new contract at the Hawthorns - which ties him to the Premier League outfit until 2017.
There were rumours that the 20-year-old had been attracting the interest of a number of clubs following his impressive start to the campaign.
England U21s striker Saido Berahino speaks after his two goals against Finland.
But the club’s sporting and technical director Richard Garlick says Berahino was always likely to remain with Albion, where he has been since he was 11.
“It was always our intention to reward Saido for the huge strides he has made over the past few months,” said Garlick.
“To be able to reward one of our proteges, who has worked his way up through the ranks from the age of 11, is a great moment for the club.”
Berahino has been a regular for England over the last few years, featuring at every level from U16 to Under-21s and has been a reliable source of goals for the Three Lions during that time.
He has shot to prominence at club level this season with a debut hat-trick in the League Cup against Newport County and then by scoring the winning goal at Old Trafford in Albion’s 3-2 win against Manchester United in September.
Berahino celebrates his winner against Moldova in September.
And under the guidance of Baggies boss Steve Clarke, Garlick believes Berahino can continue to develop.
“It’s difficult for any 20-year-old to get into a Premier League side and there are going to be times when Saido’s maybe not playing as much as he would like to,” added Garlick.
“He’s not the finished article and he has to remain patient, as we do with him.
“But he has done exceptionally well to get where he is and he now has to focus on what got him here – hard work and keeping his feet on the ground.”
England Under-21s will next be in action on 5 March 2014, when they face Wales in their latest European Championship qualifier. Venue and ticket details for that game are to be announced soon.
