Alex Pike is thrilled to have signed his first professional contract with the Club
West Ham United youngster Alex Pike is thrilled to have put pen-to-paper on his first professional contract with the Club.
The 18-year-old defender joins Djair Parfitt-Williams and Kyle Knoyle in signing deals that will run from 1 July and he is looking forward to continuing his progress.
2014/15 brought 20 appearances at U18 level and a further 13 for the U21s, so Pike is looking to make the most of the opportunity given to him by the Hammers.
"I'm just really pleased to have signed the contract and am ready to go again next year now," he said.
"Since I was young this is what I've strived to do so I'm pleased to have finally done it.
"It's one step of many more that you need to get all the way to the first team, but it is one more done.
"I've been here since an Under-11, so when you're here that long you have a sense of belonging to the Club.
"I've grown through the Club with the coaches so it's been a good journey, and I was happy with how it went this season. I really pushed on."
From a results point of view, the 2014/15 season did not go to plan for the Hammers' Development Squad, but Pike believes the experience will stand them in good stead for this year.
He added: "We've had quite a young team with the Under-21s this year, so it has been a bit of a struggle at times, especially against the older teams.
"But we've had a bit of progression now and hopefully we can come back next year, push on and be one of the better sides."
Having seen Reece Burke make the step-up to the first team in recent weeks, the right back says his progress offers an example to follow.
He explained: "Looking at Reece Burke, it gives inspiration to us all because it shows that it's possible and that it's there for any of us who are willing to work hard for it.
"I'd describe myself as a hard-working, attacking full back. I look up to a lot of players so it's hard to select one, but anyone who's played at the top level I look up to because they've done what's so hard [to do]."
The 18-year-old defender joins Djair Parfitt-Williams and Kyle Knoyle in signing deals that will run from 1 July and he is looking forward to continuing his progress.
2014/15 brought 20 appearances at U18 level and a further 13 for the U21s, so Pike is looking to make the most of the opportunity given to him by the Hammers.
"I'm just really pleased to have signed the contract and am ready to go again next year now," he said.
"Since I was young this is what I've strived to do so I'm pleased to have finally done it.
"It's one step of many more that you need to get all the way to the first team, but it is one more done.
"I've been here since an Under-11, so when you're here that long you have a sense of belonging to the Club.
"I've grown through the Club with the coaches so it's been a good journey, and I was happy with how it went this season. I really pushed on."
From a results point of view, the 2014/15 season did not go to plan for the Hammers' Development Squad, but Pike believes the experience will stand them in good stead for this year.
He added: "We've had quite a young team with the Under-21s this year, so it has been a bit of a struggle at times, especially against the older teams.
"But we've had a bit of progression now and hopefully we can come back next year, push on and be one of the better sides."
Having seen Reece Burke make the step-up to the first team in recent weeks, the right back says his progress offers an example to follow.
He explained: "Looking at Reece Burke, it gives inspiration to us all because it shows that it's possible and that it's there for any of us who are willing to work hard for it.
"I'd describe myself as a hard-working, attacking full back. I look up to a lot of players so it's hard to select one, but anyone who's played at the top level I look up to because they've done what's so hard [to do]."