West Ham United is delighted to announce that Josh Briggs has signed his first professional contract with the Club.
FA Youth Cup winner Briggs put pen to paper at the iconic Chadwell Heath training ground earlier this month, marking the next step in the young centre-back’s footballing career.
Born in North Belfast, Briggs is a graduate of the Irish FA JD Academy and originally signed for West Ham United from NIFL Premiership side Linfield in August 2022.
The 18-year-old said: “It’s a dream come true to sign this contract and to have my family here as well with me is really special.
“My goal was always to play professionally, so to be signing this contract at West Ham is a really proud moment.
“It’s the first step to making a career in football, so I have got to keep building on it, working hard, and pushing towards the next one.”
Briggs, who began his footballing journey with Greenisland FC, was spotted by Linfield and picked up by the Blues, initially representing the U16s for the South Belfast club.
He then made his debut for Linfield Reserves at the age of 15, starting the Steel & Sons Cup Final against Newington on Christmas Day 2021.
Briggs became the latest young talent to join the Hammers from Northern Ireland – following Callum Marshall, Michael Forbes, and Patrick Kelly to East London - when he signed from Linfield eight months later.
The centre-back would feature in 18 matches for the U18s during a superb 2022/23 season which saw the young Hammers win the FA Youth Cup – a final in which he scored with his first touch - as well as the U18 Premier League South.
As a second-year scholar, Briggs has become a key part of the U18s side in 2023/24, making 14 league appearances, scoring twice, as Kevin Keen’s side sit second in the U18 Premier League South Division.
With an FA Youth Cup winners medal in his cabinet, he is now keen to push on and create new memories for club and country.
The Northern Ireland U19 international added: “I never thought I would have come on in the FA Youth Cup final against Arsenal.
“It was an unbelievable night, playing at the Emirates, but I was glad that Kevin [Keen] trusted me to come on a see the game out and I was lucky enough to get a goal too!
“I’ve been away with Northern Ireland’s youth teams, and we have Gareth McAuley as our manager [U19s], which is great as he’s a former centre-back, so he gives us a lot of tips and is someone I can learn a lot from about what the next steps are for me.”
Academy Manager Kenny Brown had words of encouragement for Briggs’s future at West Ham United as he makes the transition to U21s football.
Brown said: “A first professional contract is a huge moment in any young footballer’s career, so we are all delighted to see Josh take the next step on his journey with West Ham United.
“Josh has earned his contract through his dedication both on and off the pitch. He is a popular member of the U18 squad, and we are all looking forward to seeing him develop further under the guidance of our U21 staff.
“He knows this is just the beginning of his career, though, and moving over to Rush Green will bring more challenges, but with the same positive attitude and mindset, we firmly believe he will give himself every opportunity to be a success.
“Josh and his family hugely deserve this moment, and we are all excited to see what comes next for him at the Club.”
Everyone at West Ham United would like to congratulate Josh on signing his first professional contract and wish him every success in Claret and Blue.
