Joshua Ajala has enjoyed an impressive start to life at the Academy of Football.
The pacy forward, who can play off both feet, arrived ahead of the 2023/24 season to link up with Kevin Keen’s U18s, having previously played his schoolboy football with Chelsea.
Strikers deal in goals, though, and Ajala does just that. The 16-year-old has found the net twice in his opening three competitive matches in Claret and Blue. He also scored in an U21s friendly over the summer.
“I’ve really enjoyed it so far,” Ajala reflected, on his move from west to East London. “I felt like I needed a change, and the transition from Chelsea to West Ham has been really good for me.
“I’m pleased with the way that I’ve started too. I’ve received a really warm welcome from West Ham and I feel like this Club suits the way that I play. It’s all been really good for me so far.”
A quick start to life on the pitch means the standards and expectations are high for the young forward. But Ajala is determined to continue his progression with the Irons and one day reach the first team.
Ajala is ambitious. And confident too. He dreams of following in the footsteps of Academy of Football graduates such as Declan Rice, Ben Johnson and Divin Mubama, all of whom have made their first-team debut in recent years.
He continued: “There is a really good pathway to the first team at this football Club and that played a big part in my decision to move here.
“I’ve seen a lot of players progress through the youth ranks from the outside, such as Divin. I know that if I keep working and keep performing that I will have an opportunity to do the same.”
One core value at the Academy of Football is togetherness, which played a key role in the U18s’ incredible League and FA Youth Cup double last season.
And while Ajala has spent his schoolboy footballing career in west London, he has appreciated the efforts of teammates and staff to help him settle so quickly upon his arrival at Chadwell Heath.
“There is a really strong bond in the squad,” he added, “and I felt that as soon as I came in. We’re all really close as a group and that can only help us on the pitch.
“When I played against West Ham in the past, the togetherness of the team was clear to see. I can see that even more now that I’ve joined, and I am around the place, and it is something that is really nice to be a part of. There is a real bond and a real togetherness at this football Club."
After opening his account for the Hammers from the penalty spot in a 3-0 victory over Fulham, Ajala’s biggest moment so far in Claret and Blue came at the Arsenal Training Centre earlier this month.
The striker was introduced as a second-half substitute with the Hammers trailing 1-0 to the Gunners.
West Ham were down to ten men too, and without a recognised goalkeeper. Instead, forward Liam Jones found himself between the sticks for the final 35 minutes and Ajala found himself central to a rescue mission in north London.
In truth, it looked a long way back for West Ham, but Ajala salvaged a draw with a venomous effort into the bottom left corner. A moment of individual brilliance that saw the U18s move unbeaten in their last two matches.
“We were in a difficult situation when they told me that I was coming on against Arsenal,” he explained. “We were down to ten men and without a goalkeeper.
“As a footballer you want to be on the pitch, and it is tough when you start a match on the bench.
“My only aim was to come onto the pitch and to impact the match. It was nice to get the goal and to help the team. Hopefully, I can continue to contribute throughout my time at West Ham.”
