Airidas Golambeckis sends one-word message as West Ham teammate basks in international first

Airidas Golambeckis has shared in a fellow West Ham United youngster's international achievement.

The 18-year-old defender has been one of the big academy beneficiaries of West Ham's relegation to the Championship this season.

Dropping down a division can often naturally open up more opportunities for young players to step up.

Golambeckis has done that, with the teenager looking assured and comfortable at first-team level in his two appearances this term.

As well as impressing at the London Stadium, he's also turning heads for England as part of the Under-19s.

He's not the only Irons youngster representing the Three Lions either.

What did West Ham's Reon Smith say after England debut?

Reon Smith is one of West Ham's most highly-rated young defenders coming through at the Academy of Football.

The 16-year-old joined the Hammers in November 2020 aged 11, and began his scholarship this July.

He's recently been recognised at international level too, after he was drafted into the England U-18 squad as a late addition.

Smith, a centre-back, made his Three Lions debut against Colombia on 24 September in the UEFA Friendship Cup.

Taking to his Instagram on Sunday, Smith marked this landmark moment in his career with a series of snapshots from his debut.

He captioned the post by saying: "Grateful to make my England debut.
All glory to God."

In the replies under Smith's post, Golambeckis clearly showed how highly he thinks of the defender, simply saying: "Top."

So, how did Smith get on with England over these past couple of weeks?

How many minutes did Smith play on England duty?

To be 16 and already stepping up to U-18 level for your first England call-up paints a picture of how talented Smith is.

For his debut against Colombia, which ended in a 3-2 England win, the Newham-born defender was only afforded four minutes off the bench late on.

However, Smith earned his first start in England colours the following game against Egypt, before being replaced after 77 minutes in a 2-1 victory.

The Hammers starlet then dropped back to the bench against South Korea, but came on for the final half an hour and helped his team to a 2-1 win.

For England's final game of the tournament, Smith was an unused substitute in 2-0 defeat to Spain.

In total then, Smith racked up 111 minutes of action for England's U-18s in his first Three Lions camp, and he'll no doubt be delighted with that.

Remember the name West Ham fans, as this teenager looks to have future star potential in the years to come.