West Ham have snapped up a highly rated youngster from Northern Ireland.
The Hammers have embraced their reputation for incorporating youth players in recent years with Declan Rice emerging a superstar before moving to Arsenal for over £100million.
The latest academy talent to make his mark is Oliver Scarles, who has hit the ground running in recent weeks under Graham Potter.
Now, the Hammers have added to their ranks and will hoping to produce another homegrown star in the near future.
West Ham sign Irish sensation Joel Kerr from Glentoran
Northern Irish club Glentoran announced that the Hammers have agreed terms with Joel Kerr ahead of a summer move.
The announcement claims that the 16-year-old has committed his future to the Irons by signing a contract that runs until 2028.
It states that the London Stadium outfit have beaten several top clubs in the UK and within Europe to his signature. although it does not reveal the other suitors.
Glentoran’s statement adds that Kerr is “one of the most exciting young talents to emerge” in Northern Ireland in recent years.
Kerr is one to watch at West Ham
Kerr is supposedly one of the most exciting talents to emerge from Northern Ireland in the last few years and featured in all three of his nation’s Under-17s matches during the recent international break.
He is a left-footed winger but can also operate as a striker or in the number ten role and has even featured as a left-back this season.
That versatility will serve him well when he makes the step up to the senior level as will his electric pace and power that has seen him captain Glentoran’s Under-14 side to a National League title and the Under-16s to a NIFL Academy League Championship and could have been a huge benefit to the Irons in the Premier League.
The fact that the Hammers are making moves for the future as well as looking for current transfers to impact the first-team is a positive move as it suggests that Potter and Co. want to improve the East London club in the long-term and it is not just a short term job.
It is also a benefit that they can beat other clubs to the hottest prospects and bodes well for their chances to reel in other emerging talents.
