West Ham United is pleased to announce that Finlay Herrick has penned professional terms with the Club.
Herrick signed his first professional contract at our iconic Chadwell Heath training facility, the home of the Academy of Football.
The talented stopper was an important part of the U18s squad that won the FA Youth Cup and the U18 Premier League South in 2022/23 and as such was recently named in the England U17s squad for the 2023 UEFA European Under-17 Championships.
Herrick stated: “I’ve been around West Ham since I was six years old and after first playing here, I have never played anywhere else.
“I remember getting a picture with Jussi Jääskeläinen on my first day at Chadwell Heath and that’s when I thought: ‘wow, this is what I want to do.’
“Eleven years after first training at Chadwell Heath, I have signed my pro-deal with West Ham United. It is all a bit surreal, really. It’s amazing.”
In signing his contract, Herrick joins teammates Mason Terry, Ryan Battrum, Billy Bates and Sean Tarima in signing professional terms ahead of the 2023/24 season.
Fellow youngsters Callum Marshall, Ollie Scarles, Gideon Kodua and Lewis Orford have all also signed professional contracts in recent months with West Ham United.
Academy Manager Kenny Brown was delighted to see Herrick sign his pro-deal.
He said: “It gives us great pleasure to welcome Finlay to his first professional contract with West Ham United.
“Fin has repeatedly shown his all-round qualities in goal, having signed for the Academy at U9s He was part of the U18s squad who had a fantastic season last year, winning the Premier League South and the FA Youth Cup under Kevin Keen. He then capped off a memorable season representing England at the U17 Euro Finals in Hungary in May.
“This contract is just reward for a player who has consistently shown the dedication and positive attitude expected from a young professional at the Academy of Football.
"We are all excited to see what comes next for him as he continues his development in east London.”
First playing in Claret and Blue at the age of six, the goalkeeper signed Scholarship terms with the Hammers in June 2022 and has also represented England at U16s’ level, before being called-up 2023 UEFA European Under-17 Championships earlier this summer.
First-team goalkeeping coach Xavi Valero was also pleased to see another young goalkeeper pen their professional terms in east London.
“Fin is already playing at U17 international level for England so you can see he is one of the best goalkeepers for his age in the country.
“He has been training a couple of times with me and the first team last season and we have seen he has the mentality, the personality and the attributes to face the challenges of a modern-day goalkeeper.
“There are still many steps for him to take to play at the highest level, but he has got the technical ability to play the game and hopefully, he can be one for the future at West Ham United.
“It now is our responsibility as coaches to continue his development so that one day he can reach the requirements of the Premier League.”
The 2022/23 season saw Herrick make eight appearances for Kevin Keen’s side, and keeping three clean sheets during the U18s’ title-winning campaign.
He started the U18s Premier League final against Manchester City, making a hatful of saves, although West Ham fell narrowly short of a third title in what was a memorable double-title-winning campaign.
Everyone at West Ham United congratulates Finlay on his professional deal and wish him all the best in his career in East London.
