West Ham announce Lewis Orford contract after summer swap deal collapsed
Lewis Orford has signed a new contract with West Ham United lasting until the summer of 2028, the club has announced.
The Hammers revealed on 4 September that the 18-year-old has agreed a new deal to stay at the London Stadium for five years.
The midfielder spent the summer with the first team in their pre-season training camp after consistently positive performances in the Premier League 2.
This new contract announcement does come as somewhat of a surprise after the Irons offered Orford to Aston Villa in a cash-plus player swap deal for Jhon Duran [Daily Mail, 25 July].
West Ham confirm Lewis Orford contract extension
The Hammers have managed to tie down their talented midfielder down to a new deal which has been viewed positively by supporters.
This comes just months after the club appeared to be willing to part ways with their starlet in a deal to sign the Colombian international from Villa.
It was Unai Emery’s side who turned down the bid worth £34million plus Orford, if the Irons had their way he’d have already left the club.
It was no secret that there was interest from East London in Duran who happens to have started the season in excellent goalscoring form.
Despite this, it may have proved to be a blessing in disguise with them now able to secure a new contract for the 18-year-old midfielder.
He has eight caps for the England Under 18s so has a positive pedigree on the youth international stage which could put him in good stead for the future.
In other West Ham news, Manchester City plan for ex-Hammers star after contract snub.
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