West Ham finalise deal to sign striker, transfer awaits international clearance
West Ham have announced an agreement to sign Scottish striker Josh Landers from Hibernian.
In an update on their official website on Thursday (30 January), the Irons confirmed that the 17-year-old has agreed a deal to join their Under-21s side from Hibernian.
Landers’ move is still awaiting international clearance. However, he’s already been on trial at Rush Green and has impressed enough to be able to win himself a permanent stay in East London.
BBC Sport reports that the Hammers will pay Hibs a six-figure fee with add-ons tied into the agreement.
Hibs’ sporting director Malky Mackay said: “From a club perspective, we are pleased with the level of compensation we have received for Josh.
“We are proud that our academy has produced another player fit for an English Premier League side.
“Of course, the main aim for our academy is to produce players for our own first team, however, when a move like this comes up – it is difficult to deny a youngster that opportunity.”
Josh Landers lands at West Ham in exciting deal
It’s not quite the striker signing that Hammers fans were expecting but the club seems to be pretty happy with adding Landers to their youth options.
The Scotland youth international, who will celebrate his 18th birthday next month, has tasted first-team football north of the border.
Last season, he played three times for Hibernian; twice in the Scottish Premiership and once in the Scottish League Cup.
In the league, he came off the bench both times in two 2-2 draws versus St Mirren and Motherwell while he also got a taste of the big time in a League Cup semi-final defeat to Aberdeen at Hampden Park.
Not many players of Landers’ age will have had that experience so it speaks volumes that Hibs put their faith in him on that occasion.
Hopefully he can kick on at West Ham now.
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