Preston Fearon signs first professional contract

West Ham United is delighted to announce that Preston Fearon has signed his first professional contract with the Club.

The 17-year-old, who has returned from injury this season to captain the U18s, signed his first professional deal at the Academy of Football's Chadwell Heath Training Ground.

After joining the Club on trial as an U15, having been released by Chelsea, Fearon signed scholarship terms a year later in the summer of 2023. Diligently working his way up the age groups, now in his second year as a scholar, he has fully embraced the role of captaining Lauris Coggin’s U18s.

“There’s no feeling like it!” Fearon said. “Signing your first contract is only the first step, so I need to keep pushing from here. My journey hasn’t been an easy one. I want to thank my parents and my brother, who have played a key role in getting me to where I am today. I thank them every week for what they do for me.”

“Getting released by Chelsea knocked my confidence, and then getting injured during my first year as a scholar was another tough period. But being offered the captaincy in my second year and now signing my first pro contract, it’s indescribable.

“Being captain is a challenging role, but I’m getting used to it. You have to focus on your own game while also looking out for the team. Every time I wear the armband, it feels special.”

A talented box-to-box midfielder, Fearon leads the U18s in assists, with four in just five appearances across all competitions this season. His impressive form has caught the attention of U21s lead coach Mark Robson, who handed him his development squad debut against SL Benfica B in the Premier League International Cup in September.

“I was nervous at first, but I settled into the game and thought I did alright," Fearon reflected. "The pace was fast, but having experienced players around me made the adjustment a bit easier.”

Looking ahead, Fearon expressed his aspirations with the U18s this season: “I have so much belief in this team. Although we haven’t had the best start, I’m confident we can do well in the league. The FA Youth Cup is a big target, and I know how strong our team is. We can go far in both that competition and the Premier League Cup. It’s also about our development as a team, improving our play style, and pushing to be the best we can be every week.”

Sharing his thoughts on Fearon’s journey as well as his potential, Academy Manager Kenny Brown said: “He’s a talented footballer, and we saw that from day one. I remember watching him during one of the first training sessions I attended after joining the Club. Preston was a trialist at the time, and within the first minute of a small-sided game, he stood out with his ability in tight spaces.

“What I really admire is that he matches his technical ability with a strong work ethic. He’s a team player who contributes just as much off the ball as he does on it. He’s a big talent, and I look forward to seeing how far we can take him!

“Captaincies aren’t handed out lightly. He’s someone players can look up to. It adds more responsibility, but it’s an important part of his development. The leadership skills he gains now will serve him well as he progresses through the ranks. He’s becoming a more rounded player, and this is a big year for him. Signing his first professional contract is the perfect way to start it.”

Everyone at West Ham United congratulates Preston on this significant milestone and wishes him every success in Claret and Blue.