Albion have agreed an undisclosed compensation package with Crystal Palace for goalkeeping prospect Lance Cronin.

The 15-year-old is signing a lucrative five-year contract with the Seagulls' traditional arch rivals on the Selhurst Park pitch at half time in tomorrow night's Worthington Cup semi-final against Liverpool.

Martin Perry, Albion's chief executive, confirmed: "A deal has been done. I am not prepared to reveal the sum as it would hamper our negotiations if we get another case like this.

"It is a structured deal similar to those negotiated with Aston Villa for Gareth Barry and Michael Standing.

"If he gets all the way up to an England cap it is a very significant figure."

Cronin will be on schoolboy forms with Palace for two years, then a three year pro contract from his 17th birthday.

Dad Mick said: "Palace are doing well at the moment and they have given Lance an absolutely brilliant contract, with signing on fee. Albion put a £50,000 price tag on Lance's head at the first stage of the compensation saga, which I thought was ridiculous for a 15-year-old. "