West Ham agree deal for Northern Ireland teenager Patrick Kelly
West Ham have agreed on a deal for Coleraine’s teenager midfielder Patrick Kelly according to BBC Sport Northern Ireland.
The young midfielder has featured 17 times in the Danske Bank Premiership in Northern Ireland in the 2021-22 campaign as well as making one appearance for Northern Ireland’s under-18 side.
BBC Sport Northern Ireland has suggested [8 June] that his move to the London Stadium will include add-ons and a sell-on clause should the teenager secure a big move in the future.
One for the future
Kelly is evidently a player for the future for West Ham, with the 17-year-old very unlikely to go straight into first-team proceedings for the Irons.
A loan move back to Northern Ireland or competing in the Hammers youth system seems a more likely route for the midfielder.
Kelly would benefit immensely from going back to Ireland on loan as playing first team football for young players is crucial for their development.
Too often younger players remain in youth systems at top clubs and fail to gain the first-team experience in men’s football that they desperately need.
West Ham have a notoriously good Academy with Ben Johnson the latest in a long line of Academy graduates who have made the first-team step at The London Stadium.
18-year-old striker Sonny Perkins has also been given a handful of first-team opportunities for the Hammers this season.
It wouldn’t be a shock to see more academy graduates make the first-team step in the years to come.
In other West Ham news, a deal is on the cards to sign a forward who Moyes once compared to Wayne Rooney.
Be sure to follow West Ham Zone on Facebook for 24/7 updates on the Hammers plus more exclusive interviews with Frank McAvennie.