Parfitt-Williams signs new contract

Highly rated Academy prospect Djair Parfitt-Williams has signed a new contract with the Club
West Ham United are delighted to announce that highly rated Academy prospect Djair Parfitt-Williams has signed a professional contract at the Club. 

The skilful forward has put pen to paper on a two-year deal, keeping him at West Ham until June 2017. 

Speaking after committing his future to the Hammers, Parfitt-Williams, who was the U18’s top goal scorer this season with nine strikes, said: “Ever since I was young I’ve always wanted to be a professional footballer, so it feels really good. 

“It’s nice to see my hard work recognised. I do a lot of extra training and I’m always watching football. For my hard work to come out on the pitch is excellent.

“I’ve known the contract was coming for a while, so it’s nice to finally sign it. It felt kind of weird.”

Parfitt-Williams’ impressive performances culminated in his nomination for the prestigious Dylan Tombides Award at this year’s Player Awards. 

Speaking about being nominated, he said: “It was nice to be nominated for the award. I was unlucky not to win it but it’s just nice to be recognised as one of the best players at the Academy. 

“It’s great to be top goal scorer. I’ve worked hard on my finishing which has paid off in my games.” 

Following the close of the regular Barclays U21 Premier League season, Parfitt-Williams played, and excelled, in the Hong Kong Soccer Sevens tournament scoring against Hong Kong Premier League champions Kitchee. 

In a terrific campaign by the young Hammers, they were just pipped to the title by Spanish outfit Atletico Madrid, losing narrowly 3-2 in the final.  

The impressive showing in Hong Kong follows further good news for the Academy after 18-year-old Reece Burke broke into the first team in the latter stages of the season. 

Parfitt-Williams continued: “Reece breaking into the first team is great. It’s a huge incentive for me and all the other players trying to break into the first team. It’s made me hungrier to get there. I’ve been teammates with Reece since I came to West Ham as an U15. 

“I pleased for him. There is a good atmosphere around the academy at the moment. This generation coming through at the Academy has a lot of talent and a few boys here have a real good chance of making it.”