West Ham United youngster Gideon Kodua signs first professional contract with club
Academy prospect Gideon Kodua has put pen to paper and signed his first professional contract at West Ham United, the club has confirmed.
Kodua, 18, becomes the third academy player to sign professional terms at Chadwell Heath in recent weeks, following Callum Marshall and Ollie Scarles.
The versatile attacker has scored seven goals in 11 appearances for the Under-18s this season and made his Under-21s debut in October – featuring four times since.
As reported by the club’s official website, he said: “I’m excited and proud to sign my first professional deal with West Ham United, and I’m really eager to see what the future holds for me now.
“This season has been amazing. Not just on the pitch, but off the pitch as well. The boys in the U18s and I have all created a real bond and we have a real team spirit on the pitch. For me, personally, it’s going so well and I’m really enjoying the season so far.”
Looking to the future
The acquisition of Kodua, following those of Scarles and Marshall, highlights that the Hammers are increasing their efforts to snap up the best homegrown talent at the club.
Although they are spending big money at the top of the club – including marquee signings of Gianluca Scamacca and Lucas Paqueta – this is further evidence that they will not ignore the next generation of talent to come through Chadwell Heath.
After netting 13 times in 28 games for the Under-21s last season, the attacker has earmarked himself as one of the brightest talents to come through the West Ham youth setup in recent years.
Whether he can make the next step up and forge a path towards the first team in the coming years is yet to be known, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see Kodua sent off on loan in the summer to get some first-team minutes in the English Football League.