West Bromwich Albion forward Aune Heggebo has been awarded the club's top goalscorer prize for the 2025-26 season, narrowly edging out midfielder Isaac Price. The Norwegian striker received the accolade following the Baggies' 2-1 defeat at Hillsborough on the final day of the Championship campaign, which ended under interim head coach James Morrison.
A Season of Contrasts for Heggebo
Heggebo's debut season at The Hawthorns has been a rollercoaster. Signed from Norwegian side SK Brann for £4.7 million last summer, the 25-year-old arrived with a reputation for physicality, earning the nickname 'The Hulk' at his former club. His goal record in Norway's Tippeligaen suggested promise, but adapting to English football proved challenging.
Despite finishing as top scorer, Heggebo's tally of 10 goals across all competitions is modest by Championship standards. The bulk of his goals came during a remarkable pre-Christmas run of seven strikes in seven games. However, his form dipped significantly thereafter, netting only once in Morrison's 12 matches in charge.
Comparison with Recent Albion Strikers
Heggebo's return continues a trend of low-scoring top scorers at West Brom since the 2018-19 campaign, when Dwight Gayle and Jay Rodriguez combined for 46 goals. Karlan Grant managed 18 in 2021-22, but subsequent leading marksmen have been Brandon Thomas-Asante (nine and 12), Josh Maja (12), and now Heggebo (10). To secure promotion, Albion will likely need a more prolific forward.
Bright Spots and Areas for Improvement
During his purple patch, Heggebo showcased excellent finishing ability, with near-post finishes and a superb header at Queens Park Rangers. However, his form either side of that period was disappointing. Former boss Ryan Mason revealed that Heggebo had been playing through knee pain, which hindered his adaptation. The summer break should allow him to recover fully.
Heggebo's durability was notable; he featured in all 46 league games, starting 37. However, this also contributed to fatigue, as he had no break between Brann's season and Albion's pre-season. Morrison attempted to rest him during the March international break. Defensive colleague George Campbell faced a similar issue, having played in the MLS until February.
International Prospects
Heggebo earned two caps for Norway late last year, but a place in the World Cup squad seems unlikely. After a gruelling campaign, a proper rest is expected to help him improve his goal output next season.
