West Ham United is delighted to announce that Gideon Kodua has agreed professional terms with the Club.
Kodua put pen-to-paper on his first professional contract with the Hammers at the Club’s iconic Chadwell Heath training ground and becomes the third Academy talent to agree professional terms in recent weeks, following Callum Marshall and Ollie Scarles.
The 18-year-old has scored seven goals in eleven appearances for the U18s so far this season and made his debut for the U21s in October, featuring four times for the development side in all competitions.
“I’m excited and proud to sign my first professional deal with West Ham United, and I’m really eager to see what the future holds for me now.” Kodua told whufc.com.
“My time with West Ham United has gone amazing so far and I think, in a way, I’ve shocked myself. But also, in a way, I’ve proven to myself that if I work hard then anything is possible. I’ve kept my head down and worked hard with the coaches here, and I’m proud of what I’ve achieved so far.
“This season has been amazing. Not just on the pitch, but off the pitch as well. The boys in the U18s and I have all created a real bond and we have a real team spirit on the pitch. For me, personally, it’s going so well and I’m really enjoying the season so far.”
Interim Academy Manager Kenny Brown is delighted that Kodua has agreed his first professional deal with the Club.
Brown said: “We are delighted to agree professional terms with Gideon. His hard work, application, professionalism and consistency for our senior Academy teams are each worthy of individual mention, and it has been a delight to see him continue to develop.
“Everyone in the Academy is now eager to see Gideon continue his progression and we all wish him the very best for the remainder of the season and beyond.”
Kodua joined the Academy of Football when he signed for West Ham United in 2017, after being scouted playing for Newham District.
The versatile attacker made his debut for the U21s in April 2021, featuring in a 4-1 win over Reading, before establishing himself in the side throughout the 2021/22 campaign. Kodua would make 28 appearances for the team last season, scoring 13 goals.
The teenager’s fine form continued into the 2022/23 season, with Kodua regularly finding the net for Kevin Keen’s young Irons.
Kodua’s efforts earned him his U21s debut in the Premier League International Cup, against PSV, before further appearances against Blackburn Rovers and Tottenham Hotspur in Premier 2 and Cheltenham Town in the Papa Johns Trophy followed.
Everyone at West Ham United would like to congratulate Gideon on his professional deal and wish him every success for his career in Claret and Blue.
