West Ham are losing no time in signing up their top academy prospects to new deals.
Claretandhugh revealed a few days ago that Ben Johnson was entering talks to sign a new contract and that Nathan Holland and Connor Coventry were also set for negotiations.
With Declan Rice and Grady Diangana sitting on recently negotiated deals the future is looking very promising indeed.
Now comes news that top goalkeeping prospect Nathan Trott has agreed a new contract which will keep him at the club until 2022.
It means of course that three of our best prospects are now nailed down to new deals with more likely to be on the way as summer approaches.
The youngster has been hailed as one of the best young keepers around for a long time and with Adrian looking likely to depart in the summer it will be fascinating to see whether he is ready to step up as Number Two to Lukasz Fabianski.
Nathan told West Ham TV: “Signing this new deal is a great moment for me. When you’re working hard every day on the training pitch, trying to perform as best as you can for the manager, and your hard work gets noticed, it’s a great feeling!”
He joined West Ham in January 2016 on the recommendation of former Hammer Clyde Best, and has regularly trained with the first team this campaign.
He has been on the bench three times this season and said: “This season has been quite challenging. Because of the schedule, it’s a lot harder. When the first team are off, the U23s are in for either preparation for a game, or have a game the next day, or we have to travel to away games, or things like that.
“At first, it was quite hard to adjust to, but as the season has gone on I’ve got used to it. It’s a great feeling, being involved with top quality players day-in, day out. You get to show yourself and improve yourself in front of a good manager.”
He added: “[Pellegrini] has got a good relationship with the young players in the first team. Me and him have spoken a number of times. He’s really encouraging. He tells you to be yourself and enjoy football, and just try not to think about it too much.
“He’s brought a lot of young players into the first team and gave them chances, so it’s a big boost for other young players. It gives them hope that they can do the same.”