West Ham’s academy has once again hit the heights with seven youngsters being called up for England youth international squads this week.

The work being carried out by staff under academy director Terry Westley has been an extraordinary feature of the Hammers season with four of our lads being selected to represent their country at U15 level, and three travelling to St. George’s Park to be part of the U16 squad.

The U15s, who face Belgium on Wednesday, will see young Hammers Jacob Knightbridge, Junior Robinson and Divin Mubama to select from, as well as Sonny Perkins, who recently joined the Club when he made the switch from Leyton Orient.

Meanwhile, Jamal Baptiste  and Jayden Fevrier, are part of the England U16 s along with Amadou Diallo, who turns 16 this week. The winger has been so impressive for the U23s when called upon to play at that level this campaign.

The U16s’ training camp includes fixtures against Norway, Brazil and World Cup winners France.

Academy Director Terry Westley said: “It’s great recognition for the players and the whole club to have seven of our young players selected for two England squads. These lads have been working hard and playing great football all season and every one of them deserves the recognition.

ClaretandHugh says: The extraordinary progress of our academy just goes on and the latest magnificent seven to get England call ups show just what good hands the operation is in. It’s incredibly important that with Brexit apparently around the corner (sorry to mention it because I know how boring it has become) it’s increibly important that clubs find and develop as many of their own youngsters as they can with the various restrictions which are likely to be be imposed on young imports from Europe after the withdrawal from the EU. Thankfully with our current boss in place any youngsters who are showing themselves gifted enough are getting their chance and a big message is going out to parents of promising youngsters: “Your boy has a real opportunity at  this club.” No praise is high enough for what’s going on at the grass roots of our club. Long may it continue.