West Bromich Albion left back Max Melbourne has joined Patrick Thistle on loan until January.

In a statement on the West Brom website, the club officially announced that the 19-year-old would spend the first half of this season on loan at Scottish Championship side.

Melbourne spent the latter stages of last season on loan at Ross County, where he made a total of six appearances for the then Scottish Premiership side.

The young full back signed a new contract at The Hawthorns earlier this summer, but will be making the move across the border for the first half of the season at least.

The tall defender joined the youth ranks at West Brom at the age of nine, but has never made a first team appearance for the club.

The Baggies will be hoping to bounce back to the Premier League this season under the reign of Darren Moore, following their bottom placed finish in England’s top flight last season.

The Verdict

Max Melbourne, despite fitting the bill for a West Bromich Albion defender, was always unlikely to feature for the Baggies first team this season.

This is a move that benefits all parties involved, as Max Melbourne will gain valuable first team experience, Partick Thistle get a youthful and talented defender, and West Brom will get a more experienced player upon his return.

As the deal is just until January, it will be interesting to see if Melbourne features for the Baggies in the second stage of the Championship season.