Seven youngsters sign on

Seven youngsters have signed professional terms with the Hammers, the club have confirmed.

The Irons have tied down the academy scholars ahead of the new season.

The club’s Under-18s captain, Michael Forbes, has put pen to paper, as have Jacob Knightbridge (goalkeeper), Junior Robinson (right-back), Regan Clayton (left-back), Kaelen Casey (centre-back), Will Greenidge (defender), and George Earthy (midfielder).

Forbes, Knightbridge, Robinson, Clayton, Casey and Earthy all played for the Under-18s throughout the season, as they finished second in the U18 Premier League South table.

A number of those players have also made the step up to U23 level, playing for the club at the higher age group.

The seven players will now move onto training more consistently with the U23s and could well become regulars for the team throughout next season.

Greenidge, in particular, was not involved as much with the U18s this season because he had been promoted to the U23s already.

They will also be hoping to make enough of a mark to eventually make a senior debut.