The mark of a good leader is being able to look forward at all times – and U18s captain Joshua Okotcha, who recently signed his first professional contract as a footballer, is always forward-thinking.
One of seven Academy of Football scholars to sign their first professional contracts as footballers earlier this month, 18-year-old Okotcha has opened an exciting new chapter in his footballing career.
Despite naturally holding onto some disappointment from this season just gone – the U18s were building impressive momentum and sat just three points behind the U18 Premier League South leaders, prior to the season’s suspension – Okotcha is determined to channel that into motivation for his future as a professional.
“Signing a professional contract is something I’ve looked forward to for a very long time,” Okotcha told whufc.com.
“Obviously around all the excitement, there was also a sense of relief, finally getting over that first hurdle! Then, it’s a bit of a motivator – to kick on from this day to try and push on even more.
“I feel like, at the time we stopped last season, I was doing quite well and progressing. Now, having signed my first professional contract, I just want to kick on and get back to it – as soon as everyone can do so safely.
“It’s definitely been one of my best seasons at West Ham. It’s a shame that we didn’t get to finish it because it would’ve been interesting to see how well we would have done as a team, but obviously we’ll just have to pick up from that when we start again when this is all over. Hopefully I can push on even more in the new season.”
Tall, strong and commanding, centre-back Okotcha is a naturally affable figure whose determination to be the best version of himself shines through in every word.
I have to thank all the coaches I’ve had, because they’ve all played a role in my development and me getting to this point
Joshua Okotcha
Having started playing football as an 11-year-old – comparatively late to most of his teammates – Okotcha joined the Academy of Football just a year later as a central defensive midfielder, before moving to defence two years later.
As an U15, Okotcha was awarded a full-time scholarship and moved to east London – staying at the ‘Academy digs’ house close to Chadwell Heath – a challenge he typically embraced.
“It was a different challenge being away from home, going into training every day, but it was something I got used to,” Okotcha reflected. “Looking back on it, it’s something I’m glad I did – it was a good experience.
“These two past seasons, as a scholar I’ve developed the most. There’s been a bigger emphasis on just improving me as an individual player, and now here we are.
“I have to thank all the coaches I’ve had, because they’ve all played a role in my development and me getting to this point. This season gone, [U18s Lead Coach] Kevin Keen’s played a big role and definitely put an emphasis on improving myself as a player, working on technique.
“Another two who would stick out are Gerard Prenderville when I was an U15, and Mark Phillips now as a scholar. Both two have definitely helped me on and off the pitch, helping develop my game and helping to build me as a character.
“When I have stepped up to the U23s as well, Steve [Potts] has helped me a lot. Obviously he played in a similar position to me, so he’s definitely helped as well.”
As for how he sees his own game, Okotcha pinpointed several areas he has focused on developing.
“I try to be quite an aggressive, dominant defender,” he explained. “One of my technical strengths is my range of passing, which I’m always working on to improve, but I think I do read the game quite well.
“I’m also a very big communicator – I like to talk a lot when I’m on the pitch and help my teammates.”
The journey is now set to continue for bright prospect Okotcha, who has seen friends including Declan Rice, Nathan Holland and Conor Coventry all make the step-up to the first team in recent years.
“I’ve played with all of them at some point during my time at West Ham, so I can relate to them and see it them as motivation to try and be in that position one day as well,” he said.
“The sky’s the limit – that’s how I see it. I just want to see how far my ability can take me. I don’t like to put a limit on stuff – I just want to keep progressing, keep pushing, and see how well I can do.”
