Homegrown Hammer Howes signs up

Seventeen-year-old Academy goalkeeper Sam Howes celebrated his birthday by signing a three year professional contract with the Irons.

And he immediately made his commitment to then club even clearer when declaring on Twitter that it was his choice to sign for three years rather than two and a half.

A home grown keerer is well overdue at the Boleyn with Neil Finn managing  just one appearance in a Hammers sweater in the mid nineties and Steven Bywater failing to make an impact.

Howes looks to have a decent future ahead of him having already made his first team debut in the pre-season tour of New Zealand.

He has also been capped at several different youth levels, most notably en route to England U17s’ European Championship success in Malta 2014.

He told whufc.com: ““I was in shock when I found out the contract was coming. I wasn’t expecting to get a professional contract.

“Since I’ve known, it’s been hard to not tell anyone, but it’s a very special day, particularly as it’s my birthday as well.”