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It was fitting Jonathan Leko should replace Saido Berahino when making his Premier League debut for West Bromwich Albion last weekend.

Not just because they have embarked on very similar journeys to the top, but because Berahino has been a role model to Leko since he joined the club aged 11.

It’s easy to draw comparisons.

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Both were born in Africa, but moved to England at a young age - Berahino with his mum and siblings, Leko with only his father - after they were granted asylum.

They grew up in tough areas of Birmingham - Berahino in Newtown, Leko in Nechells - and joined the Albion academy at similar ages.

Their undeniable talent has been recognised nationally, with both earning their first England call-ups with the Under 16s.

Leko’s Premier League breakthrough has, however, come far sooner than Berahino’s.

At 20 years and 28 days, Berahino was practically a pensioner compared to Leko, just 16 years and 344 days old when he entered the action at Sunderland on Saturday.

Berahino was one of the first to congratulate and encourage Leko after is maiden voyage in the top flight.

“Proud moment for Jonathan making his debut,” he tweeted.

“Great away point! Onto the next.”

Academy manager Mark Harrison knows the pair as well as anyone having worked closely with them as they rose through the ranks.

He says there are many similarities, but also differences.

“They’ve had similar backgrounds, lived in similar areas,” Harrison said.

“They were similar ages into the academy system.

“Leko joined us at the Under 11s age group.

“He’d been in England for a couple of years.

“He was a bit of a rough diamond. He showed flashes - it was very much about his potential.

“He’d had some coaching not at academy level.

“He was a different to Saido in that respect.

“Saido was a bit more refined because he’d had longer at grass roots level.

“Jon had some raw attributes.”

Not until Leko was 14 did he really begin to thrive, according to Harrison.

And he's blossoming into a very different type of attacker to Berahino.

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“As an under 14 he really flourished because he started to understand the game better,” he said.

“He scored lots of goals.

“Some of the things he was doing with the ball were fantastic to watch.

“It’s important that while he develops he’s given that licence because he can be very creative.

“In games, teams double and treble up on because they know what he can do.

“I think he’ll always be a creator more than a goalscorer.

“He’s not the got the same finishing qualities as Saido, but he will create.”

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