Patrick Kelly is excited for the opportunity to impress his new Academy of Football coaches at West Ham United.
The promising midfielder has joined the Club on a three-year professional deal from NIFL side Coleraine and will immediately begin work with his teammates ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.
The 17-year-old, who was welcomed to Chadwell Heath by recently-retired captain Mark Noble, cannot wait to continue his development in east London after a whirlwind 12 months in which he earned his first professional deal with Coleraine, scored his first senior goal and made his Northern Ireland U19s debut.
Speaking to whufc.com after signing his contact, Kelly discussed his decision to join the Irons, linking up with international compatriots in the West Ham Academy, and his hopes for his Hammers career...
Welcome to West Ham United, Patrick! How does it feel to join the Club?
“I’m delighted to join West Ham. I’m buzzing. This is a great opportunity for me. I’ve worked hard over the last couple of years and I think West Ham is a good club for me to come into and continue my development, do well and hopefully have a good career in the game.”
What was it about West Ham that made you want to come here?
“My family and I came over a week ago and everybody around the Club was so welcoming. From the people at the training ground, to everyone at the Club house, everybody around the Club made it such an easy decision to me. Of course, West Ham is also a big Club as well, which helped the decision too.
“I didn’t actually realise how big the Club was until I came here. I knew West Ham was a big Club but, once I came here, I realised how massive West Ham was. I’m really excited to be here.”
What do you know about The Academy of Football?
“The main thing I know is that a few players have come through and got chances in the first team in the last couple of years. The main one, of course, is Declan Rice. I’m really hopeful I can be one of the next ones to come through and get that chance.
“That’s another part of the reason I chose to come here. You can see the names who have come through here and gotten chances, so there is definitely a pathway here. It’s on the players to show they have what it takes, so I’m excited for that chance.”
Signing this contract culminates an incredible 12 months for you, doesn’t it?
“It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster and it all happened so quickly. I was playing with the Coleraine U18s, but the manager [Oran Kearney] saw me playing during an in-house friendly game and brought me into the first team in June last year.
“I just kicked on from there. I signed a professional deal, got my senior side debut, scored my first professional goal. I got to play in a [Irish] Cup final, with around 13,500 people in the stadium, and got myself back in the Northern Ireland international set-up as well. It was a really good year.
“It was a massive year. The manager at Coleraine put a lot of trust in me. It was a men’s game, and it was very physical, but he trusted me every week to play. I thank him a lot for that because it helped a lot in terms of getting this move.”
What differences are you anticipating in the football between here and back in Northern Ireland?
“I reckon the standard is going to be a lot higher in terms of technical ability. Obviously the NIFL is a good standard and it has got a lot better in the last couple of years too, but I think it’s going to be next level here in England, even at U23s level. I’m going to have to adapt quickly.”
There are a couple of familiar faces here, for you, in Northern Ireland U19s international teammates Michael Forbes and Callum Marshall…
“I’ve played with both Callum and Michael since we were in the U10s and U11s in the Northern Ireland set-up. The internationals started very young for us so I’ve played with them for the last seven years or so. I’m also living with Callum in the Club house so it’s exciting. It’s a bit weird we’ve all ended up at West Ham but it’s cool as well.”
Did you speak to either of them about joining West Ham?
“I was away with them in Malta a couple of weeks ago with the Northern Ireland U19s, and that was when this deal was being discussed. Neither Callum or Michael had a bad word to say about the Club. They said West Ham was a brilliant place to be and had some great things to say about the set-up. They helped me make my decision.”
What can fans expect from you on the pitch?
“I’m very direct. I like to run at defenders with the ball. I think that’s the main part of my game; dribbling and passing and trying to run by people and having an impact in terms of goals and assists.
“I started my career playing a bit further forward but in the last year or so I’ve played more as a No8 in centre-midfield. I’m happy as No8 and also as a No10, as long as I can get on the ball and run at people and add goals and assists.”
The two Academy sides – the U23s and U18s – both finished second in their respective leagues last season, so you’re going to be playing with some quality young players.
“Callum was telling me about how well the two teams did. He said the U18s had been a really good side and were unfortunate to not win the league. I hope I can help make the team better, which ever one I play in, and help them to win trophies.”
In Mark Robson and Kevin Keen, the U23s and U18s lead coaches, you have two former West Ham players. Are you anticipating learning about the Club from them?
“They are two very experienced coaches and, as you say, past players. I think it’s great to have former players as coaches in the Academy because they’ve been there and done it, and they know what it takes to get through the ranks. I know they’ll both play a huge role in helping me push on.”
You’ll be straight into pre-season training now. What are your hopes for your first year in Claret and Blue?
“My first job is to impress in pre-season. We’ve got a couple of tours coming up and we’re going away to a few places. It will be a good start.
“I’m looking forward to getting to know my new teammates, and just getting down to playing football. This is a massive opportunity for me now. It’s up to me to show what I can do. Hopefully I can have a good first season with West Ham and, if I can, who knows what can happen.”
