West Ham United is delighted to welcome young striker Josh Landers to the Academy.
The 17-year-old joins the Hammers from Scottish Premiership side Hibernian after a successful trial period in January and has linked up with Mark Robson’s Under-21 development squad.
Born in the small town of Innerleithen in the Scottish Borders, Landers has always dreamed of one day playing in the Premier League.
“It’s an amazing feeling to sign for such a massive club,” he said. “Every footballer dreams of playing in the Premier League, and while this is just the first step, it’s a surreal moment for me. Coming from a small town with just a couple of thousand people to signing for a Premier League club in London is really special.”
A tireless centre-forward who can run the channels and hold up play, Landers has been a regular goalscorer ever since joining the Hibernian Academy from Musselburgh Windsor at the age of ten. Consistently playing above his age group, he was 14 when he made his debut for Hibs’ U18s and 15 when he played in the UEFA Youth League.
Having signed his first professional contract with Hibernian in the summer of 2023, Landers made his senior debut in the Scottish League Cup semi-final against Aberdeen at Hampden Park in November of the same year.
“I started developing physically before I developed technically, so I was bigger than everyone else,” he explained. “That meant I was always playing a year up, which helped me improve because I was competing against stronger, more experienced players. Playing and training for the first team last season has also helped me develop a lot.”
Due to begin his trial period with the Hammers at the end of last summer, Landers broke his arm in a Hibernian U18s CAS Elite League game against Rangers. He believes the period on the sidelines, however, has better equipped him to deal with the challenge of transitioning to football in England.
“I was supposed to come down for a trial in August. I played in a game on the Friday before I was supposed to come down and broke my arm. Although at the time it was disappointing being sidelined for three months, it was a blessing in disguise. I feel like when I came back from the injury, I was fitter and quicker, because of how hard I worked off the pitch.”
Impressing during his two-week trial in January, West Ham United made the move permanent, rewarding years of hard work and sacrifice.
Landers continued: “I’d like to thank my whole family; my parents, sister and grandparents, who have been really supportive of me. Dad would drive me to training three times a week, a 45-minute drive each way. It’s a big commitment and I wouldn’t be here without them.
“The lads I stayed with in digs over the last few years, they’ve been a massive part of my life. Helping me become more mature, improving my social skills. I’ve made a lot of sacrifices to get where I am today and I couldn’t have done it without the amazing support group I have around me.”
Commenting on Landers’s arrival, West Ham United Academy Manager Kenny Brown said: “Josh had been monitored for the past six months and we are delighted to have eventually signed him. He is a modern day striker who can receive with his back to play but also run in behind.
“Josh’s injury delayed his arrival but when he eventually came in during January, he impressed everyone with his desire to learn, his work rate and his ability in front of goal. We are all looking forward to working with Josh in his transition into West Ham United and to support with his development both on and off the pitch.”
Everyone at West Ham United warmly welcomes Josh to the Club and wishes him every success for his career in Claret and Blue.