Defender Kaelan Casey was ten years old when the player he replaced to make his Premier League debut, Angelo Ogbonna, made his first appearance for West Ham United.
Coming on for your senior debut for your boyhood Club is one thing, but replacing one of the players you grew up idolising is some start to your West Ham career.
“I grew up watching a lot of West Ham players that are here now,” Casey says, recalling his time watching his Club as a Season Ticket Holder at the Boleyn Ground, following his own Premier League debut in our 3-1 win over Luton Town on Saturday.
“Angelo is probably the one who I remember watching when I was a kid - I remember him scoring at a game I was at too - so it was pretty surreal to be the player to replace him.”
Lifelong Hammer Casey first donned the famous Claret and Blue for the Club’s Under-7s, becoming one of the very few players to play for West Ham across every single age group.
“It’s a dream come true obviously,” he says, on his debut. “I think that's the case for any boy who loves football. You want to grow up and play in the Premier League, so doing it with your Club is really special.
“It was amazing to get that reception, but I didn’t hear much when I came on the pitch. I was so nervous, I just sort of blocked it all out because I was so focused on doing a good job.
"I was just thinking about getting on when I was called back to the bench. The Gaffer gave me the nod and said 'You’re coming on', so it was all a bit mad.
"He just wanted to make sure we got the job done but I wanted to enjoy the moment as much as possible because it is such a big thing to have done.
“The Premier League is what I always watched as a young boy and that is where you want to be.”
Casey’s debut was made even more special by the fact he shared the pitch with his best mate. Just as he had as a Under-7, his teammate George Earthy was still finding the net as he made his way out for the senior team.
“When I saw him come on and score, I was so proud of him,” Casey says, on Earthy scoring with his first touch against the Hatters.
“We’ve come through the ranks together so to come on and share a pitch with him in the Premier League makes that debut even better.”
“Next year, is another season for us to impress. On a personal level, I want to try and make my mark with the first team, but we will just have to see what will happen. Hopefully, the weekend is just the start and there are many more appearances to come.”
