Pic via www.whufc.com
West Ham have signed the hugely exciting defender Jamal Baptiste on a two and a half year deal.
The 17 year old is developing a massive reputation and there is no question nailing him down until he is nearly 20 is a major coup by the club.
ClaretandHugh blogger and former Academy director Terry Westley brought the youngster through and explained to CandH in a piece some time back thatJamal is a future mega player who is going all the way to the top.
There have already been stories that Manchester United and others are looking at him which – if true – only makes the signing of the lad so impressive.
He was appearing in the under 23s at the age of 15 when he became the second youngest ever player before making nine appearances last season and another eight this term.
He was also involved in the first team squad’s summer training camp in Scotland, where he impressed manager David Moyes enough to earn a full 90-minute appearance in the 5-1 pre-season win over Wycombe Wanderers at Adams Park.
After signing the deal he told www.whufc.com: “I’m over the moon. I’ve been waiting for this for a very long time, and the day has come.
“I joined West Ham at eight and I’ve had a really good time since. The big thing I’ve learned is just to always work hard, no matter whether I’m doing well or not doing well, and always to speak to the coaches and players around me to help my career.
“When I was younger, I wasn’t one the best player in my eyes, but then I started working harder. I got an opportunity and I feel like I took it, and ever since U15s I’ve been with the U18s, which brings pressure, but I think I’ve dealt with it well.
“A big inspiration has been Declan Rice. He’s always told me just to enjoy it and to always work hard and remember why you’re there. He was in my shoes around this time in his career, and look where he is now.“
Baptiste looks in that photo at least like an old, late friend, Clive Charles RIP. Clive of course was John’s younger brother and grew up 6 doors from me, next to the old ground, The Memorials. Clive was small for a early 70’s full back and after leaving the club , had great success on the States especially as a coach for their world cup team.
This kid is the one
Better than Declan at same age which is crazy
Can be as good as Rio 💯
Hopefully he can fight his way into the team and stay there for good or at least slightly longer than other promising youngsters like Diangana or Ngakia, to name only few. But in order to make this happen the club must implement a new culture of being tough to beat, hard working. Glad to see the first signs of this already happening under Moyes who seems a real deal now.
Declan Rice’s presence on the first team and for England must be having a massive impact on the academy players. Let’s hope DR stays and we graduate more youngsters to the first team.