WEST HAM have snapped up Solihull Moors starlet Oladapo Afolayan in a surprise move.

The teenage forward agreed a dream deal from the National League to the Premier League just before the window shut.

3 Solihull Moors starlet Oladapo Afolayan has signed for West Ham Credit: West Ham United FC

Hammers pushed through the move despite interest from Birmingham City and Wigan who had both looked at the explosive talent in training.

Afolayan, who was in the same year-group as Tammy Abraham and Dominic Solanke as a youngster at Chelsea, said: “It’s a dream come true.

“I’ve worked hard to get here and I’m grateful for the opportunity.

“I started out with Chelsea and was there until I was 15, then my family moved to Canada and I was part of the Academy at Toronto FC.

3 Oladapo Afolayan has said it is a dream come true to join West Ham Credit: Getty - Contributor

3 Afolayan will go into the Hammers under 23 squad for the rest of the season Credit: West Ham United FC

"Then, when we moved back, I studied civil engineering at Loughborough University before the opportunity arose to join Solihull and play in the National League and it was something I couldn’t turn down.

“Now, the opportunity has come to join a Premier League club and West Ham is one which has always given youngsters opportunities to come through, as we have seen this season, so I’ve come here to get into the first team and make a name for myself.”

Afolayan will go into the Hammers under 23 squad for the rest of the season rather than being sent out on loan for experience.

The deal was done with seconds to spare as Hammers landed a top youngster despite also attempting deals for senior pros.