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West Bromwich Albion came very close to tumbling into League One this past season, spending large chunks of the 2025/26 campaign flirting with the bottom three.
The club was handed an immediate two-point deduction for breaching the league’s profit and sustainability rules in April.
Despite all of that, the Baggies ultimately clung on to their Championship status, and finished in 21st place, a single spot about the relegation zone in the Championship.
Now it appears their bid to stay in the division has begun.
West Bromwich Albion has officially announced the signing of Liverpool academy defender Carter Pinnington. They have stated he will start his journey with the Under-21 team.
Pinnington joined Liverpool at under-7 level and worked his way through every age group before breaking into the under-18 side as a 15-year-old.
The 19-year-old signed his first professional contract in May 2024, and by October 2025 had earned a place in a senior Carabao Cup matchday squad. He has also featured regularly for the under-21s in Premier League 2 and the UEFA Youth League
Speaking to the club’s media channels, Pinnington said:
“I’m extremely grateful to be joining Albion,” said the defender.
“I had offers from other clubs, but from the very first conversations I had here, it was clear to me that this was the right place for the next stage of my career and an opportunity I couldn’t turn down.”
“I’m looking forward to getting started, working hard every day, and giving my all every time I put the shirt on.”
It has been reported that West Brom’s deal sees Pinnington move with no initial fee, with Liverpool instead set to benefit from performance‑related add-ons tied to his appearances, as well as a sell-on clause in any future transfer.
The two clubs enjoy a strong working relationship, helped by the presence of Baggies technical director Dominic Price, who previously served as a first-team analyst at Anfield.