-
Fletcher signs four-year deal
-
The England U20 international scored in the Play-Off final win over Millwall
-
Fletcher becomes the fourth signing of the summer
West Ham United are delighted to announce the signing of promising striker Ashley Fletcher from Manchester United.
The 20-year-old has joined the Hammers on a four-year contract and becomes the fourth signing of the summer following the arrival of Havard Nordtveit, Sofiane Feghouli and Gokhan Tore.
England U20 international Fletcher spent the second half of last season on loan at Barnsley, for whom he scored the opening goal in the Tykes’ League One Play-Off final victory over Millwall.
The talented forward underwent a successful medical at Spire Roding Hospital before agreeing personal terms and cannot wait to show his best form for the east London Club.
“I am very excited to be here. West Ham are a massive club and I am just happy that I can come and further my development here at West Ham.
“I think it is a Club with a lot of ambition. They have a lot of good players and it was a special final season. They managed to finish the campaign very well.
“West Ham are a Club built on traditions of giving youngsters a run and hopefully I can get my chance as well.”
Born in Keighley in West Yorkshire in October 1995, Fletcher was an outstanding student and athlete at school in Bolton, Greater Manchester, where he attained 12 GCSEs and excelled at football, cricket, athletics and basketball.
Prior to that, Fletcher had joined Bolton Wanderers’ Academy at the age of nine, spending four years with the Trotters before moving to Manchester United.
The young forward came through the ranks at Old Trafford, scoring regularly at U16 and U18 levels before scoring in the final three games of the 2014/15 season as the Red Devils clinched the Under-21 Premier League title.
Tall, strong, determined and blessed with a subtle touch, Fletcher struck up a potent partnership with the highly-rated James Wilson during his time within the Manchester United youth set-up, impressing in both domestic football and the UEFA Youth League.
Fletcher’s ability and promise saw Barnsley take the 20-year-old on loan in January 2016, a decision they would certainly not regret as the Yorkshireman amassed nine goals and four assists in 27 appearances in all competitions.
At international level, he scored on his England U20 debut against France in November 2015, before partnering fellow Manchester United Academy graduate Marcus Rashford against Canada in March this year.
The Hammers and Manchester United will now finalise the terms of the transfer after his contract with Manchester United expired at the end of last season.