Two talented young strikers have been given the opportunity of a lifetime after being spotted at a West Ham United Foundation soccer school.
The 14 and 15-year-old forwards were snapped up and invited to attend the West Ham United Development Centre at Chadwell Heath where they impressed enough to be offered further trials in the hope of being signed in their relevant age groups.
Jim Hampsheir, Senior Academy Integration Officer said: “To be able to attend courses run by the Club’s Foundation in our local community and find players talented enough to make the step into a professional environment is fantastic. Everyone at West Ham wishes the lads all the best. We’ll be attending future courses too looking for more future Hammers!”
The pair, who cannot be named due to their age, impressed during an Academy Development Day held at the Foundation’s home in Beckton.
Academy Development Days are elite sessions provided by the West Ham Foundation designed to give young footballers an insight into the professional game, whilst improving core skills through performance sessions that we design specifically to build on abilities such as ball manipulation, SAQ (speed, agility and quickness), positioning and finishing. Whilst the days are not academy trials, they are attended by a member of the club’s scouting team who will refer players who they feel meet the correct standard.
To find out about the next Academy Development Days running in east London and Essex, click here