Liverpool defender Carter Pinnington has completed a permanent transfer to West Brom, joining the Championship side after 12 years with his boyhood club.
Pinnington joined the Reds as a seven-year-old and progressed through the ranks as a reliable figure to become a regular with the U21s.
But with fierce competition in his position following the signings of Mor Talla Ndiaye and Ifeanyi Ndukwe, the 19-year-old has opted to move elsewhere.
This Is Anfield understands Liverpool agreed to waive any up-front fee while negotiating a sell-on clause and appearance-based add-ons into the deal.
KIRKBY, ENGLAND - Sunday, March 1, 2026: Liverpool's Carter Pinnington during the Premier League 2 match between Liverpool FC Under-21's and Tottenham Hotspur FC Under-21's at the Liverpool Academy. Liverpool won 4-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
It allows Pinnington to take the next step in his career with a view to establishing himself around West Brom‘s first-team squad.
Born on the Wirral, the teenager has represented England at youth level but is also eligible to play for South Africa through his father.
A natural centre-back, Pinnington has also played as a full-back and in midfield for the youth sides, with his versatility arguably working against him at times under U21s head coach Rob Page.
KIRKBY, ENGLAND - Sunday, March 1, 2026: Liverpool's Prince Cissé (L) celebrates with team-mate Carter Pinnington after scoring his side's second goal during the Premier League 2 match between Liverpool FC Under-21's and Tottenham Hotspur FC Under-21's at the Liverpool Academy. Liverpool won 4-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
It saw him often filling in across various roles rather than holding down a regular spot, while others were able to develop in their favoured position.
Pinnington’s departure will be bittersweet, with the local lad telling Liverpool’s official website in November: “It feels like home [here].
“I spend more time here than I do at my actual home. I’m still excited to come every day and it feels like a second home.”
MILAN, ITALY - Tuesday, December 9, 2025: Liverpool's captain Carter Pinnington reacts at the final whistle during the UEFA Youth League match between Internazionale Milano Under-19's and Liverpool FC Under-19's at the Konami Youth Development Centre. Inter won 5-0. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Having gained experience training alongside the first team on a number of occasions, Pinnington can look to challenge for a place in James Morrison’s squad at West Brom.
West Brom finished 21st in last season’s Championship, just above the relegation zone, with Morrison given the permanent head coach role after twice filling in as interim around Ryan Mason and Eric Ramsay’s spells in charge.
Pinnington could find himself playing alongside former Liverpool centre-back Nat Phillips, who joined West Brom in a £3 million deal last summer.