Niche Cache. He does sound a good prospect.
Still only 17, and there are a few U20 WC CB candidates in different pro environments, but he looks a strong chance to be picked for this U20 WC & the next one.
"See that? That’s NZ U17 representative Noah Dupont signing his first professional deal with West Bromwich Albion. He was one of three scholars given two-year pro deals after the WBA U18s made it to the FA Youth Cup quarter-finals this season. Matthew Crowther and Rio Parmar were the other two. Dupont turned 17 in October but, like the rest of this trio, already has some decent experience with the U21s – having made four Premier League 2 appearances this season (that’s the level that Matt Dibley-Dias bosses it for Fulham).
WBA Academy Manager Richard Stevens:
"As a centre-half you need certain qualities, and Noah has those. He’s strong, competitive, has a good frame which will make him a really good, modern-day defender, and he’s shown he can cope against the levels above his age group. Training with the first team when they’ve needed players, playing for the 21s and particularly when they’ve competed in the National League Cup, he’s shown he can play against men and stand up to those challenges. The attributes he has will develop him into a good footballer and I believe our programme is going to help him do that.”
Dupont was born and raised in England and has been in the WBA system since he was six years old. He qualifies for New Zealand thanks to his mother, who was born here, and after confirming his eligibility in 2023 he went on to start all three games at the U17 World Cup that year (albeit not an U17 WC we look fondly upon – losing all three games and conceding ten times). Since then he seems to be surging through the Baggies development scene.
With the U20 World Cup arriving later this year, we could potentially see him back with a fern on his chest soon enough, although he wasn’t part of the U19s qualifiers last year and would still be eligible for the next one so who knows. He’s a couple of months too old for this year’s U17 World Cup.
Always gotta stay level-headed when it comes to youth prospects. Let them do their thing and see who makes it because it’s not always the obvious ones… but this guy is one worth jotting down.