Lanre Awesu reveals what his mum did that led him to West Ham
West Ham talent Lanre Awesu's career path could have been much different.
The 18-year-old has been with the East London side since the Under-14 level.
He featured 28 times for the Under-18's before making his step up to the under-21 side recently.
Awesu has made seven appearances for Mark Robson's side, and will hope to reach Nuno Espirito Santo's team shortly
If he makes it to that level, he will have to battle with Mads Hermansen and Alphonse Areola for the spot between the sticks.
However, he nearly never even ended up with the E20 side, with a different plan originally in place.
What did Lanre Awesu's mum do to seal West Ham switch?
The Irons talent revealed how his mum is his inspiration in an interview with official club media.
Awesu revealed how she declined a potential move to Charlton, in favour of the Hammers.
Speaking to West Ham's website, he said: “The day I was supposed to go to Charlton, after school I got home and my Mum said: ‘You’re not going to Charlton anymore, West Ham have offered you a trial’.
“She said she made the decision due to West Ham being a bigger club, regardless of Charlton being closer to home.
"I came to West Ham on an eight-week trial, really enjoyed it, and then luckily enough got offered a contract.”
If he goes to become a star for the London Stadium, they will be delighted that his mum made the decision.
He could have ended up with a different London side, but clearly the Hammers are massive.
Who is West Ham's potential next goalkeeping star?
Awesu is highly-rated at West Ham, signing his first professional contract in April 2025.
The youngster was originally a forward, but he traded the number nine for the gloves in his first year of secondary school as he was the tallest in his age group.
He had a 12-week with Norwich, before the proposed Charlton move, before eventually linking up with the Hammers as a schoolboy.
The Irons young goalkeeper has two caps for England Under-18's and started as his club side won the Under-18 Premier League cup in 2025, starting in all but one of the matches.
He has previously trained with the senior stoppers, with former goalkeeping coach Xavi Valero speaking of his talent.
The Spaniard, who left the Irons at the end of the 2024-25 season, said: “He's been developing really well this season with the U18s.
“It's not that common for a 17-year-old goalkeeper to train with the first team, but he's showing great potential and has got great attributes.
"He's been doing really well and acting in a very mature way when he's been with the first team."
That is glowing praise from one of the top goalkeeping coaches in the game, who he was lucky enough to work with.
If he continues to develop how he has done since joining, then he may be a star in waiting for the Championship side.