Former Hammers academy star Sonny Perkins has returned to East London, but this time he’ll be playing for Leyton Orient instead of West Ham.
Perkins left The London Stadium to join Leeds United in pursuit of greater opportunities after failing to agree on a new contract with West Ham. Many, including myself, had high expectations for the winger-turned-striker, who seemed on the brink of breaking into the first team.
“I want to help the club push forward as much as possible. I’d love to bring energy and hope to the club and see us push for as good a season as we can.”
Perkins made his first-team debut in the Europa League against Rapid Wien, coming on in the 78th minute. He also made his Premier League debut at 17 against his future club, Leeds United.
Despite scoring in a cup game for Leeds, things didn’t go as he had hoped, and now he finds himself on a one-year loan deal with Orient.
Richie Wellens was delighted to have Perkins join his squad for the upcoming campaign, adding: “Sonny has a superb amount of natural ability, and we’re really pleased to see him join us here at Leyton Orient. He is highly-rated by Leeds, and we’re excited to see what he can do for us going forward.
“He’s a versatile player who can play as a centre forward or in the ten role. He’s scored an impressive number of goals for both Leeds and West Ham’s U21 sides, and we believe he is ready to make that step up to senior football now.”
Yes but we let him go at the age of fifteen to you hammers. Now he’s back where he started he’s one of our own.
The lower leagues are awash with our academy products, whether they stay or wherever they go that’s the general level of where they end up. It’s a rare exception when one makes premiership starter standard, not enough of them for the academy to be a reliable source of first team players. In recent times some have run away with the idea that they’re better than they are, think they can do better elsewhere then promptly prove that they can’t.
Ideas that are typically driven by their agents and parents, I’d wager, John. It takes a pretty strong character in your teens not to be influenced by other people’s visions…
There’s every chance that he will progress in his career to the heights he hopes for. Let’s not wish him misfortune, or have a go – he’s a young lad. We don’t know the detail, and I suspect it’s about more than ego. Perhaps it was a belief that he wouldn’t get an opportunity under Moyes? Who knows.
But yes, many will come and go, because there are only 500-odd premier league squad places available, and tens of thousands of players who would like to fill them. Those in charge of the academy and the club as a whole will do what they think is right.
PS – only the first paragraph was in response to you John – the rest is a general response. 🙂
Good luck to him, hope the lad does well, even if not at WHU, (regretfully). Always great to see skill and endeavor make it.
Be careful what you wish for
Youngsters – take note. And maybe us armchair critics could maybe relax a bit when a youngster is let go in future. But I was up in arms too. Let’s see what happens with Mubama.
Anyone know what’s happened to Harrison Ashby?
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha what a XXXX he is
Another in a long line of youngsters who thought the grass was greener.
His agent must be delighted….