Having joined West Ham United as an U15s player, Dagenham native Tyron Akpata signed his first professional contract with the Club in July 2024.

The centre-midfielder is recognised for bringing energy and commitment to his role, and impressed after putting pen to paper on a Scholarship deal with the Academy of Football in June 2022.

Akpata enjoyed a productive first season with Kevin Keen’s U18s, featuring 21 times as the young Hammers claimed an U18 Premier League South and FA Youth Cup double, and netting his first goal for the side in a 6-0 victory against Norwich in February 2023.

He then wore the captain’s armband during the following year's FA Youth Cup campaign, and in all competitions he scored three goals in 26 appearances for the U18s during 2023/24.