West Ham building for future as award-winning Sean Moore transfer confirmed
West Ham United definitely have a bright future ahead of them, with the club’s Under-18 side winning last season’s FA Youth Cup.
That success came at the same time the senior time lifted the Europa Conference League, with a handful of youngsters playing key roles in that superb journey last season.
But they are not sitting back and relaxing, with the Hammers confirming their first signing of the summer transfer window by bringing Sean Moore to East London.
The 17-year-old forward joins the Hammers from Northern Ireland Football League (NIFL) club Cliftonville, and will initially link up with West Ham’s Under-21s for the upcoming campaign, as confirmed by the official West Ham website.
The teenage star had a superb breakout campaign in Northern Ireland, scoring five goals from his 31 appearances as his side finished fourth in the league table.
His efforts clearly caught the attention of West Ham, and they certainly didn’t go unnoticed in Northern Ireland, with Moore named the NI Football Writers’ Association Young Player of the Year, as well as being named in the NIFL Premiership Team of the Year.
Sensibly, the 17-year-old will be eased into life at the London Stadium, but his signature shows that the club are already building for the future, with a smooth progression into the first team the ideal outcome for all parties involved.
Moore has already represented Northern Ireland at Under-18 level, as well as the Republic of Ireland at Under-19 level, having switched international allegiance.
West Ham boss David Moyes has shown time and again that he is willing to give youth a chance, which will be welcome news to new arrival Moore, who could be handed first team minutes in the near future.
In other West Ham news, one exit-bound Hammers attacker has headed to Sunderland ahead of a potential transfer to the Black Cats.