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Eight of the club’s academy youngsters are set to leave the club when their contracts expire at the end of the month.

U23 captain Moses Makasi is the oldest of those leaving. The defensive midfielder had been a consistent performer at U23 level but never really got a proper chance in the Hammers’ first team, and now 23 years old, he needs to be playing regular first team football. After a successful loan spell in League One last season with Plymouth Argyle (despite injury cutting it short), he spent the second half of 2018/19 in League Two with Stevenage. There were instances he was played out of his natural position, but should have no problem finding a club in League One or Two.

Central defender Josh Pask, 21, is also leaving unfortunately. A talented player who caught the attention of numerous clubs throughout his scholarship, he had been very unlucky with injuries over the last few seasons. Despite not being able to find a loan since 2017, he too should have no problem finding a new club this summer.

Left back Vashon Neufville, who turns 20 in July, is quite a surprise to depart. The former England youth international made over 50 appearances for the U23s but wasn’t as involved this campaign, with just five appearance. He spent time on loan at Newport County in the second half of the season.

Defensive midfielder Noha Sylvestre, 21, has struggled with injuries over the past two seasons. A consistent performer in the centre of the park for the U18s throughout his scholarship, filling in at right back occasionally, he became a key player for the U23s in 2016/17 but injuries halted his progress the next season. Having made just five appearances in 2017/18, he was unable to play at all this season as he continues to recover.

Third year scholar Mason Barrett, 19, is another who saw injuries limit his progress. The versatile defender, who can play anywhere across the backline, didn’t feature as much for the U18s during his scholarship but came back to play 17 times for the U18s this season, but has been told he will not be offered a professional contract here following this.

Three scholars are also leaving – as mentioned before, they are Kevin Dalipi, Jay Mingi and Odysseas Spyrides. Mingi has already secured a contract with Charlton Athletic.

As well as that, a handful of this season’s U16 team also left after not being offered scholarships. Midfielder Josh Hinds, who has already signed at Hull City, is amongst those alongside Harry Costa, Evan Khouri, Geneiro Maragh and Charlie O’Connell.

I’d like to wish all the departing academy youngsters the very best in their future careers.

Also leaving the club is Spanish striker Toni Martinez, who although is under-23, joined West Ham as a 19 year old. He failed to make an impact out on loan and joins first team players Adrian, Samir Nasri and Andy Carroll leaving the club.

Every year, around just before halfway through the season clubs across the country begin to make the tough decisions on which players in their U16 sides will be offered scholarships. Whilst the decisions at West Ham were made a couple of months ago, it’s time to reveal the prospective intake for the summer of 2019.

Starting at the back, two goalkeepers will form part of the group. Serine Sanneh is a name quite a few West Ham fans will be familiar with, having been named on the U18s bench whilst just an U13 back in 2015/16. The acrobatic shot-stopper, despite not being the most tall of goalkeepers, has impressed consistently, being involved with the U18s at a young age and even being named on the U23s bench. With Daniel Jinadu being out on the sidelines for the majority of the campaign, he has stepped in well, making 12 appearances. He is also an England youth international, and is tipped for big things.

Josh Roach is the other goalkeeper. Another solid custodian, Josh is yet to make his U18s debut but has been on the bench several times and has also been named on the U23s bench too. Similar to Sanneh, he has attended England youth training camps before. Despite tough competition in Sanneh and Jinadu, there’s no stopping him from staking a claim to be the no. 1 for the U18s in 2019/20.

Left-back Josh Wilson-Esbrand has been a regular for the U18s this season, making 14 appearances (12 of them starts). Yet another England youth international, he is a strong full-back who is a threat going forward, whilst having the ability to fill in at centre-back if required. Competing with him for a place in the starting XI will be yet another England youth international in Jayden Fevrier. Versatile Fevrier, who can play as a full back or as a winger on either flank, has already made his U23 debut, coming on against Leicester City back in November. He has been another regular for the U18s, scoring twice in twelve appearances.

Centre-back Brandon Thomas is yet to feature for the U18s, but the South London native was named on the bench last season. The powerful defender is comfortable on the ball and has been a key figure for the U16s this season. He will be hoping to be a regular in the U18s next season as the likes of Aji Alese move up into the U23s on a full time basis. Moving onto midfield, there are several central midfielders who have been offered deals, including Iyiola Adebayo, a tall, intelligent player capable of playing some fantastic passes who has been a key player for the U16s, who made his U18 debut as a substitute against Swansea City back in January.

Ben Heal is one of the newer members of the group having joined from non-league Cambridge City back as an U14, whilst the box-to-box Michael Adu has been named on the U18s bench once. Slovakian attacking midfielder Christian Veliky is set to join from SK Slavia Prague after impressing on trial in past months, whilst fellow attacker Kamarai Simon-Swyer is yet to feature with the U18s but scored a notable brace in an U17 friendly earlier on in the season.

Amadou Diallo is another well known member of the group having played a few U23s games this season despite his age. Whilst it still being a very early point in his career, he is one of the most well-thought of players in the academy, with the versatile youngster capable of playing as an attacking midfielder, a winger (either side but preferably the left) or even as a deep lying midfielder, having played as a striker too in his earlier days. Diallo will be a key player for the U18s but could even be moved up into the U23s, with even first team involvement in some capacity also a possibility.

Winger or striker Kai Corbett has made several appearances off the bench for the U18s after scoring regularly for the U16s, having also been in an England U15s training camp before. Striker Gael Kileba completes in the intake, another regular goalscorer for the U16s who made his U18 debut last season. It is a very strong group, perhaps one of the most exciting in recent seasons.

Unfortunately, there are players who have been let go. Defender Charlie O’Connell who is likely to link up with Peterborough United, right-sided player Geneiro Maragh, midfielders Evan Khouri and Josh Hinds, plus Harry Costa, who will be evaluated upon his return from injury. Of course, it is important to mention that any of the players offered deals can choose to sign elsewhere, and those who have been released may be brought back by the club.

In terms of second years, a handful have been informed their futures lie away from the club and are free to talk to other clubs. Defender Kevin Dalipi, who has found game time hard to come by during his scholarship, has been on trial with QPR in recent weeks, defensive midfielder Jay Mingi who has featured for both Sheffield United and Charlton, and attacker Odysseas Spyrides, who despite playing for the U18s yesterday, was featuring for Southampton a few weeks ago.

Aji Alese and Anouar El Mhassani have both signed professional deals and it is anticipated that Sean Adarkwa, Kris Belic, Reece Hannam, Emmanuel Longelo, Jeremy Ngakia, Bernardo Rosa and Louie Watson will step up to join them, but of course, similar to the U16s, any of the players set to depart could end up staying and anyone else who may seem to be staying could be let go.

I’d like to wish all the players, whether they are staying at West Ham or departing, the very best of luck for the future.

West Ham’s U18s continued their unbeaten start to the season with their fourth win in as many games with a 4-1 drubbing of Fulham at Little Heath this morning.

Mark Phillips made a handful of changes from the side that defeated Swansea City 1-0 away last week, with Josh Wilson-Esbrand, Josh Okotcha, Keenan Appiah-Forson and Sebastian Nebyla coming in for Will Greenidge, Jamal Baptiste, Peter Stroud and Bernardo Rosa respectively.

The Hammers had the first real chance of the game, with Jeremy Ngakia coming close from the edge of the box, his left-footed shot going inches wide. At the other end Fulham’s Finnish striker Terry Ablade had an attempt from inside the penalty area blocked as both teams made a decent start to the game.

The hosts took the lead 28 minutes in with a fantastic finish from Veron Parkes, squeezing it home from a tight angle just moments after Odysseas Spyrides struck against the post. Parkes almost doubled the lead four minutes later but George Wickens was equal to it.

Keenan Appiah-Forson, making his first start of the season, fired over the bar and Emmanuel Longelo also saw his free kick go off target. Fulham had two good chances before the break, both from Scott Armsworth as his headers from set pieces were saved by Joseph Anang or wide of the mark.

Fulham brought on Jean-Pierre Tiehi for Terry Ablade at half time, but the Hammers doubled their lead three minutes after the restart with Parkes slotting home into the bottom right hand corner after good work from Spyrides.

However Fulham substitute Tiehi pulled one back three minutes later after Fulham came on the counter-attack, with Harvey Elliott pulling it into the French striker who thundered home past Anang.

The goal flurry continued as Longelo made it 3-1 with a powerful left-footed shot from outside the box. Fulham hit back though, coming close through Oliver O’Neill who should have scored from such close range and Sonny Hilton having his attempt saved by Anang.

The Hammers finished the game off 72 minutes in when Longelo found Sean Adarkwa who placed it into the middle of the net. The Hammers brought on Lennon Peake – a first year scholar making his U18 debut as well as Will Greenidge and Anouar El Mhassani who made his first involvement of the season.

El Mhassani came close to scoring as did Parkes, who almost completed his hat-trick but Wickens pulled off a fine save to keep the score to 4-1 at full time. Next up for the Hammers is a trip to Aston Villa two weeks from today as they look to maintain their unbeaten and 100% winning record.

West Ham United Under-18s: Joseph Anang; Josh Wilson-Esbrand, Aji Alese, Joshua Okotcha, Jeremy Ngakia (Will Greenidge 74); Sebastian Nebyla, Keenan Appiah-Forson; Emmanuel Longelo, Odysseas Spyrides (Lennon Peake 72), Veron Parkes; Sean Adarkwa (Anouar El Mhassani 82).

Unused subs – Daniel Jinadu (GK), Gael Kileba.

Fulham Under-18s: George Wickens; Riley Warland, Scott Armsworth, Zico Asare, Jonathon Page; Sonny Hilton, Ben Davis; Oliver O’Neill (Erick Kenko-Djoudie 64), Sylvester Jasper, Harvey Elliott; Terry Ablade (Jean-Pierre Tiehi HT).

Unused subs – Nativ Yanko (GK), Luciano D’Auria-Henry.

Mark Phillips’ U18 side made it three wins from as many games as they continued their strong start to the 2018/19 season with a 1-0 away win at Swansea City.

The Hammers made two changes from their win against Southampton, with Peter Stroud and Sean Adarkwa coming in for Kris Belic and the injured Sebastian Nebyla. Swansea meanwhile were without last week’s goalscorer Shaquille Wynter-Coles, with recent acquisition from Tranmere Rovers Ali Al-Hamadi starting up front for the Swans.

Both teams made a fairly slow start at Landore, with Bernardo Rosa having the first clear cut chance for the Hammers but he saw his shot blocked. Daniel Wiliams came close for the hosts but Joseph Anang was equal to it, making an impressive save to keep the game goalless.

Jayden Reid had a chance for Swansea but again Anang kept it out, and Sean Adarkwa, making his first involvement in the league this season also had a chance. But the scores remained level at the break, with Keenan Appiah-Forson coming on for Adarkwa at the interval.

Josh Thomas replaced Ali Al-Hamadi, who had to come off due to injury at half time for Swansea and later into the second half their biggest goalscoring threat in Jayden Reid made way for Bradley Gibbings. There was a U18s debut for the Hammers as U16 Kai Corbett replaced Emmanuel Longelo. Corbett, who has had involvement with England at youth level enjoyed a prolific season at U15 and U16 level last term.

Corbett came close to scoring on his debut, having a shot saved and striking the bar as well 67 minutes in. But the Hammers finally broke the deadlock 76 minutes in through Bernardo Rosa, who fired into the bottom left hand corner from inside the penalty area.

Rosa almost doubled the advantage from outside the box, letting fly with a testing effort that just went over Nathan Shepperd’s crossbar. Swansea didn’t have many chances after the goal and the match ended in a third successive victory with the Hammers, with a home tie against Fulham next Saturday.

Swansea City Under-18s: Nathan Shepperd; Jacob Jones, Ben Erickson, Cameron Evans, Tivonge Rushesha; Daniel Williams, Ryan Bevan; Marc Walsh, Owen Evans (Josh Edwards 75), Jayden Reid (Bradley Gibbings 52); Ali Al-Hamadi (Josh Thomas HT).

Unused subs – Scott Reed (GK), Luke Motruk.

West Ham United Under-18s: Joseph Anang; Will Grenidge, Jamal Baptiste (Joshua Okotcha 82), Aji Alese, Jeremy Ngakia; Peter Stroud, Bernardo Rosa; Emmanuel Longelo (Kai Corbett 53), Odysseas Spyrides, Veron Parkes; Sean Adarkwa (Keenan Appiah-Forson HT).

Unused subs – Kyle McGeachy, Daniel Jinadu (GK).

 

Mark Phillips’ U18 side continued their good start to the 2018/19 Under-18 Premier League with a win over Southampton yesterday morning in a five goal thriller.

Phillips made just one change from the 4-1 away victory over Norwich City, with Will Greenidge replacing Kyle McGeachy at left back. Meanwhile, Southampton made no changes at all from the side that lost out 3-1 to Chelsea at Staplewood.

And at first, that seemed to have paid off, with Christian Norton opening the scoring 17 minutes in for the visitors, after some good work from Kayne Ramsay down the right hand side. Norton struggled for game time last season, making only 12 appearances, all off the bench, but evidently has made a good start to this season. Their lead would not last long however, with Emmanuel Longelo levelling the scores for West Ham 36 minutes in before Veron Parkes poked home one minute before the break.

Former Chelsea schoolboy Ramsay, who netted the Saints’ consolation goal against his old team in their previous game, got his second of the season 58 minutes in, with the right-back heading home from former Bury youngster Will Ferry’s corner. Southampton brought on one of their new summer recruits in Benni Smales-Braithwaite, with the England U16 international, formerly of Manchester City replacing Kornelius Hansen.

West Ham also made a couple of changes, with Keenan Appiah-Forson replacing Longelo and Kyle McGeachy coming on for Will Greenidge. Just as it looked to be heading towards a stalemate, Veron Parkes produced a terrific run before firing home with a fantastic finish from the edge of the box 85 minute in, to ensure the Hammers would boost this season’s points tally to six.

Next week West Ham will make the trip to Wales to face Swansea City, who lost 5-1 to Tottenham yesterday.

West Ham United Under-18s: Joseph Anang; Will Greenidge (Kyle McGeachy 79), Jamal Baptiste, Aji Alese, Jeremy Ngakia; Kris Belic, Sebastian Nebyla (Josh Okotcha 90+1); Odysseas Spyrides, Bernardo Rosa, Veron Parkes; Emmanuel Longelo (Keenan Appiah-Foson 67).

Unused sub – Daniel Jinadu (GK)

Southampton Under-18s: Jack Bycroft; James Morris, Allan Tchaptchet, David Agbontohoma, Kayne Ramsay (Seamas Keogh 73); Dan Bartlett, Sean Brennan; Will Ferry, Kornelius Hansen (Benni Smales-Braithwaite 69), Enzo Robise; Christian Norton.

Unused subs – Alex Cull (GK), Mikey Saunders, Caleb Watts.

 

 

West Ham United’s U18 side made the perfect start to their 2018/19 campaign with a 4-1 away win at Norwich City this afternoon.

With Steve Potts moving up to take charge of the U23 side alongside Liam Manning, today marks a new start with Mark Phillips taking charge, assisted by U16s manager and former West Ham player and academy graduate Jack Collison.

The duo named a side containing a mix of experience and youthfulness, most notably U15 centre-back Jamal Baptiste starting after impressing in pre-season. Of the new first year scholars, only signings Sebastian Nebyla and Veron Parkes started alongside Australian Kyle McGeachy, who was involved in the Hammers trip to Bermuda a couple of months ago.

Norwich named quite a youthful side, with just four second years starting. Among the first years involved included former Huddersfield Town trio Ethen Vaughan, Anthonius Berkeley and Arash Ahmadi, the former two starting. Berkeley conceded a penalty six minutes in after shoving Emmanuel Longelo over in the box, but the attacker saw his penalty saved by Will Johnson.

However the Hammers bounced back and came close via Bernardo Rosa and Veron Parkes before finally breaking the deadlock 35 minutes in, with Rosa firing home after being found by Odysseas Spyrides. The hosts had plenty of chances too, coming close with Spencer Keller and Jaden Thompson-Brissett but no real tests for Joseph Anang in the West Ham goal.

Two minutes into the second half the Hammers doubled their advantage through Veron Parkes who slotted home after being found by Spyrides. Spyrides, a natural striker who impressed in pre-season in a more wider role, found himself there again today after being one of West Ham’s top scorers last season despite missing most of the campaign due to injury.

Anis Mehmeti had a chance for Norwich before Jaden Thompson-Brissett pulled one back 58 minutes in, placing the ball into the bottom left hand corner after a defensive error. However the Hammers sealed the advantage after Emmanuel Longelo was fouled by Aaron Akyeampong-Ekumah in the box again. Longelo did not take the penalty however, and up stepped Bernardo Rosa for his second of the game 61 minutes in.

Anthonius Berkeley gave away his second penalty of the game 68 minutes in after fouling Odysseas Spyrides, and Bernardo Rosa stepped up to convert it successfully and earn his hattrick.

Zach Dronfield and Thomas Dickson-Peters had chances for Norwich later on in the game but the Hammers held firm to secure a 4-1 victory. Next week they face Southampton at home, who lost 3-1 against Chelsea this morning.

Norwich City Under-18s: William Johnson; Aaron Akyeampong-Ekumah (Arash Ahmadi 75), Matt Richardson, Anthonius Berkeley, Ethen Vaughan; Denzelle Olopade, Zach Dronfield; Jaden Thompson-Brissett, Anis Mehmeti (Thomas Dickson-Peters 70), Isak Thorvaldsson; Spencer Keller (Tony Springett 62).

Unused subs – Finlay Barnes, Ryan Dickerson (GK).

West Ham United Under-18s: Joseph Anang; Kyle McGeachy (Will Greenidge 58), Jamal Baptiste (Joshua Okotcha 69), Aji Alese, Jeremy Ngakia; Kris Belic, Sebastian Nebyla (Keenan Appiah-Forson 69); Emmanuel Longelo, Bernardo Rosa, Odysseas Spyrides; Veron Parkes.

Unused subs – Daniel Jinadu (GK)

 

 

Earlier today, the fixture lists for the U18 Premier League were published. West Ham United will start their campaign with a trip to Norwich City on the 11th of August, whilst ending with a visit to Brighton & Hove Albion on the 27th of April next year.

The U18s have enjoyed a strong pre-season, which included a successful trip to Holland and wins over the likes of Brentwood Town’s first team, and wins over the U18 sides of Oxford United, Colchester United and Cambridge United, with a trip to face Ipswich Town’s U18s to follow this Saturday.

Several schoolboys have impressed for the U18 side, and in turn there have been quite a number of U18s that have featured for the U23 side on numerous occasions. There have also been a handful of trialists that have continued to be involved with both sides that may well soon in the coming weeks.

Most notably for the U23 side was former Newcastle United goalkeeper and England youth international Paul Woolston. With Nathan Trott having a good chance of departing on loan, the club may seek to bring in another goalkeeper to compete with Joseph Anang in the U23s.

Without the further ado, the U18s fixtures are as follows (subject to change – table via YouthHawk).

As usual, we hope to bring you extended coverage of the U18s and the U23s here on the site this coming season.

In other news, for those that may not have seen already former scholars Korrey Henry and Rosaire Longelo have signed for Yeovil Town and Newcastle United respectively.

As West Ham United’s youngsters returned to training this week, second year scholar Aji Alese today signed his first professional contract with the club.

The highly-rated centre-back put in some brilliant performances last season as he impressed for both the U18s and U23s, whilst also impressing for England at the U17 Euros in May, and this season will aim to become a regular in the U23 side as other players are likely to be loaned out.

However Ben Wells has made the switch to Queens Park Rangers rather than remaining with the club. He was offered an extension to his contract but trialled with QPR towards the end of last season after putting in some impressive performance in the Hammers’ U18 defence throughout his scholarship.

I would like to wish him the very best in his future career.

Today saw the official publishing of the Premier League retained & released lists and a total of five academy scholars are set to leave the club.

Third year scholar Rihards Matrevics is the oldest of the quintet, with the 19 year old Latvian goalkeeper finding U23 game time hard to come by this season. He spent time on trial at clubs including Birmingham City, and considering he is a youth international should have a good amount of potential suitors for next season.

Some of the more surprising departures were second year scholars Korrey Henry and Rosaire Longelo. Henry, who has played in a variety of positions these last two seasons was funnily enough top scorer this season and second-top scorer last season. Tricky winger Longelo has trialled with Norwich & Middlesbrough and both should have no difficulty finding new clubs.

Goalkeeper Tyler Forde and striker Yiannis Constantinou are both expected to leave having been on schoolboy contracts rather than scholarships and not named on the retained list, but the club may choose to offer them deals ahead of the 2018/19 campaign. Despite not getting much game time these last two seasons both players should also find it easy to find new clubs.

Onto more positive news, second years Mason Barrett, who spent most of the last two seasons out due to injury, and regular U18s captain Ben Wells have had their scholarships extended into a third year. They will join Conor Coventry, Ben Johnson, Alfie Lewis and Domingos Quina in stepping up to the U23s on a permanent basis next season, despite the aforementioned quartet spending most of the season there anyway.

New deals have been offered to Noha Sylvestre, who has been given a one year extension after spending most of the 2017/18 campaign out due to injury, and a new three year deal for attacker Dan Kemp who has also been troubled by injury. U23s captain Moses Makasi, who impressed out on loan at Plymouth has also been given a new one year deal, and a new contract has been offered to Grady Diangana too.

It is also likely that Declan Rice will sign a new improved contract after his impressive displays for the first team this season, and with the appointment of Manuel Pellegrini as the club’s new manager, many players will hope they can follow in his footsteps next season.

I’d like to wish the very best of luck to all academy players departing throughout the age groups for their future careers, and congratulations to all those who have signed new deals.

West Ham United’s U18s finished off the 2017/18 campaign with a hard-fought 2-2 draw against Aston Villa at Little Heath this morning.

Steve Potts & Mark Phillips handed a full U18 debut to U16 striker Veron Parkes, a recent acquisition from Crystal Palace, who has scored plenty of goals for the U16s since joining a few months ago whilst appearing off the U18s bench three times. U15 left-back Josh Wilson-Esbrand was also given his second start at this level, whilst Ben Wells returned in place of Kris Belic and Parkes came in for Anouar El Mhassani.

Aston Villa took the lead 9 minutes in through Michael Tait, but they had to wait until the 77th minute to double their advantage through substitute Jacob Ramsey, who has been a key part of the Villans side this season. However in the 80th minute Veron Parkes was on hand to fire home for his first ever goal at U18 level, halfing the deficit, before Bernardo Rosa netted a dramatic equaliser in the fifth minute of stoppage time.

It is fair to say that the campaign has been a mixed one but the future does look bright. A number of players have pushed up into the U23s and there have been lots of strong individual performances, and the future of the U18s squad also looks strong with a talented group of players set to commence their scholarships at the start of next season with a strong schoolboy contingent to back them up.

The club are expected to confirm in the next few weeks the future of the remaining second year scholars. It is anticipated some may be released but there is a chance those who have seen their seasons disrupted by injury may be given a third year extension. Those players waiting to hear if they have been given a professional contract are goalkeeper Tyler Forde, who hasn’t featured for the U18s this season, defenders Ben Wells and Mason Barrett, winger Rosaire Longelo and strikers Korrey Henry and Yiannis Constantinou.

West Ham United U18s: Joseph Anang; Josh Wilson-Esbrand, Ben Wells (c), Kevin Dalipi, Will Greenidge (Keenan Appiah-Forson 63); Jay Mingi, Louie Watson, Bernardo Rosa; Sean Adarkwa (Emmanuel Longelo 70), Odysseas Spyrides, Veron Parkes.

Unused subs – Daniel Jinadu (GK), Anouar El Mhassani.

Aston Villa U18s: Kieran Boucher; Mungo Bridge, Dominic Revan, Ethan Patterson (Luke Ige HT), Charlie McConnachie; Jake Walker (c), Ben Guy; Indiana Vassilev, Michael Tait (Jacob Ramsey 67); Colin Odutayo; Dimitri Sea (Aaron Pressley 52).

Unused subs – Emmanuel Idem (GK), Brad Burton.