West Bromwich Albion have agreed a new three-and-a-half-year deal with defender Dara O’Shea, which will see him commit his future to the Hawthorns, according to Express and Star reporter Joseph Masi.

O’Shea has been given the chance to make an impression in and around the Baggies’ first team so far this campaign by Slaven Bilic, with the defender spent most of his time on the bench, but having also made one appearance in both the Championship, as well as starting in West Brom’s 1-0 win at Charlton Athletic in the FA Cup third round.

The 20-year-old spent some time on loan at Exeter City in League Two last season, and he played a part in helping the club secure a ninth place finish making 27 appearances in the league, and he has returned to the Hawthorns and shown signs of being able to compete for a regular first team place over the next few years.

QUIZ: Can you name the club these 14 ex-West Brom players are playing for now?

That could be a challenge with the likes of Semi Ajayi, Kyle Bartley and Ahmed Hegazi all challenging for regular game time at the centre of West Brom’s defence, but O’Shea being rewarded with a new deal shows Bilic has faith in his ability to add to his defensive options.

The verdict

This is a very good piece of business from West Brom, with O’Shea having shown some real signs of being able to develop into an important member of their squad over the next few seasons – and the 20-year-old will now be able to continue his development under Bilic’s coaching.

O’Shea has unsurprisingly found regular starts hard to come by in the Championship so far this term, given the level of competition at the heart of the Baggies’ defence, but he offers vital extra cover for Bilic’s side in case of regular minutes and has shown he can fill in when called upon.

The defender also offers some tactical flexibility to Bilic, having shown signs he can also play comfortably at right-back having started their in the Baggies’ FA Cup win at Charlton earlier this month.

West Brom need to ensure that they keep hold and develop some of the most talented players coming through their academy system, and O’Shea’s progress will offer belief to other academy players that Bilic will provide first team chances when he feels they are ready.