West Ham United’s Academy Scholars put pen to paper on their new two-year deals at the Club’s first team Rush Green training facility recently as they look ahead to the next stage in their careers.

The young Hammers, who have been playing U16 football this season, will now join the Scholarship programme which sees them play U18s football from next season.

The bright prospects attended – along with Joint Chairman David Gold – the special introductory evening in east London, where they posed for photos, signed their new deals and were treated to a dinner and presentation hosted by Academy Director Terry Westley.

Among the Scholars to sign were defenders Will Greenidge and Josh Okotcha, who along with midfielder Dan Chesters, have all turned out for the U23s in 2017/18.

Also putting pen to paper on the two-year deal was Sebastian Nebyla, who joins from Slovakian side Spartaka Trnava.

On the Scholars, Westley said: “I’d like to offer many congratulations to the all the boys as they take another exciting step on their career pathway.

You’re special; there are millions of young men out there who would love to be in this room right now. You’re here and they're not. David Gold

“Thanks also goes to their families for their unerring support in helping them reach this stage.

“There are a number of very talented players at the Academy in the younger age-groups and I wish them all success as they progress to this next stage.”

Mr Gold, who attended the evening, encouraged the boys to keep working hard and said: “It’s the beginning of an adventure for you; see it as that. Enjoy every minute.

“You’re special; there are millions of young men out there who would love to be in this room right now. You’re here and they're not. So keep working, and one day you could be playing in front of 60,000 for this Football Club.”

The full list of Academy Scholars to sign is as follows: Harrison Ashby, Samuel Caiger, Daniel Chesters, Jake Giddings, William Greenidge, Samuel Nsumbu, Joshua Okotcha, Lennon Peake, Keenan Appiah-Forson, Veron Parkes, Daniel Jinadu and Sebastian Nebula.