It has been a special season for Ryan Battrum.
In June 2022, Battrum penned his first scholarship agreement with the club that he has supported all of his life. Just under a year later, having secured a historic FA Youth Cup and U18 Premier League South double, the versatile youngster has put pen to paper on his first professional contract.
Signing a first professional deal is a landmark moment in any young footballer’s career, and Battrum was delighted to receive the news from his idol, Mark Noble.
“I’m absolutely buzzing,” he told whufc.com. “I have been a massive fan of this Club since I was born and my dad is a massive fan too. For me to be signing my first professional contract with this club is an absolute honour and I’m absolutely delighted. My whole family is buzzing as well so I am really pleased.
“I was downstairs in the changing rooms and I was actually about to leave the training ground when Kev came to get me. He took me upstairs and we went into a room where Mark Noble also was.
“They spoke about my season and how positive it had been and they told me that they wanted to offer me a professional contract. I was speechless and on the verge of tears. I was so happy; it was an amazing day.
“I get compared to Noble a lot and I think that the comparisons are more down to the mentality side of things, such as working hard, being humble and being a leader. They are the main attributes that I take from him and it was so surreal for him to be the man to offer me the professional contract.”
Having been one of a host of young, gifted talent at the Academy of Football to agree Scholarship terms last summer, Battrum had been expecting to be used as a squad player during the 2022/23 season.
Instead, Battrum has played a key role for Kevin Keen’s U18 side in what has been an incredible campaign for the young side.
He continued: “It has been a really good season. I came into the year as a first-year scholar surrounded by a lot of good players. I wasn’t expecting to play much but I feel that I have really stepped up to the challenge and the transition from U16s to U18s.
“I have played right back a lot this season and I think that I have really developed a lot in that position. We have had a lot of big games this season, such as in the Youth Cup, and I really feel like I stepped up and demonstrated what I can do.”
Battrum will never forget that night at Portman Road, where the 17-year-old produced perhaps the biggest moment in his young career in FA Youth Cup quarter-final.
After a gruelling 90 minutes against a spirited Ipswich Town, the match headed into extra-time with the scores tied at 2-2. Kevin Keen turned to Battrum six minutes into extra-time.
And, with just four minutes left on the clock, the inspired substitute drilled the ball into the bottom right corner with his left foot to secure his first goal of the season, firing the Hammers into the Youth Cup semi-finals.
“I still look back on it as one of the best nights of my life,” he reflected. “To go on and win the competition after that night just shows how good football can be.
“They are the moments that stay with you forever and that you will look back on when you’re older. I’m still buzzing to this day!”
With his professional contract secured, Battrum is determined to continue his development with the Academy of Football, whilst also following the example set by Gideon Kodua to guide next season’s first-year scholars.
“I learned so much from our captain Gideon. He had a bit of a tough first year and didn’t play every week but he’s demonstrated what he can do this year and he deserves it. He has almost been like a father figure for me and for all of our first years.
“He has helped us all along the way and he has always encouraged us. I really look up to him and I hope that I can be like him next season. We need to help the younger lads next season to feel as comfortable as possible as a part of the group. It’s important that we help them along through their journey into U18s football.
“Nothing changes for me; I know that I need to keep working hard. Getting a professional deal is really good but it doesn’t mean anything if I stop working now. I want to keep developing and keep improving.”
