West Ham United teenager Gideon Kodua has signed his first professional contract after an excellent campaign so far for the club's under-18s.
Kodua has become the latest Hammers player to put pen to paper on a first professional deal, with winger Callum Marshall and left-back Ollie Scarles both signing their maiden senior deals in recent weeks.
Speaking about the deal, Kodua said he has been surprised by his own form this season and was looking ahead to ticking off the next milestones in his young career.
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The young forward told the club’s website: “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.
“My time with West Ham United has gone amazing so far and I think, in a way, I’ve shocked myself. But also, in a way, I’ve proven to myself that if I work hard then anything is possible. I’ve kept my head down and worked hard with the coaches here, and I’m proud of what I’ve achieved so far.
“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.”
Kodua has been part of the U18s side who have been flying in the Under-18s Premier League South this season, currently sitting 13 points clear at the top of the table after ten wins from as many league games.
The young forward captained the Hammers’ under-18s a week ago in their 3-1 FA Youth Cup third round win over Sheffield United, providing an assist to help set up a trip to Burnley in the fourth round.
In the league, Kodua has played eight of the ten league matches, scoring five goals and adding one assist. Among those five included two as a substitute during a dramatic 4-2 win away at Chelsea last month.
He has also made four appearances for the under-21s this season, including a debut against PSV Eindhoven in the Premier League International Cup. Of the quartet, he has made two starts at that level, once against Cheltenham Town in the Papa John’s Trophy and against Blackburn Rovers in Premier League 2.
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