West Brom and Aston Villa mourn academy recruiter Steve Hopcroft | OneFootball

West Brom and Aston Villa have paid tribute to much-loved academy talent spotter Steve Hopcroft, who has died following a battle with cancer.

According to ExpressAndStar.com, Hopcroft joined Albion from Blues in 2004, led academy recruitment for over 15 years, then moved to Villa in April 2020.

He built a reputation for unearthing prospects across the Midlands, including England star Morgan Rogers, Lamare Bogarde, Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba, Tim Iroegbunam and Finn Azaz.

He also helped propel Saido Berahino, an Albion graduate who scored 36 goals in 121 Baggies appearances, including a 20-goal campaign in 2014/15 after joining at under-12s. Former academy player Cole Deeming thanked him publicly for early belief.

Raised near The Hawthorns, Hopcroft turned down Manchester United in 2016 to remain with Albion, before taking up Villa’s head of player talent ID, following academy boss Mark Harrison.

Harrison offered condolences to Hopcroft’s children Tom and Beth, sister Sharron, partner Kate and stepchildren Max and Fin. He called him a trusted colleague over 20 years, widely regarded as one of the best, and credited him with bringing through Bradley Burrowes, George Hemmings, Omari Kellyman, Louie Barry and Josh Feeney.

Albion said he was renowned for spotting young talent across the West Midlands and leaves a legacy of players who might not have reached the professional game without him. The club said their thoughts are with his family, friends and loved ones.

Source: ExpressAndStar.com