As Airidas Golambeckis forces his way onto the fringes of Nuno Espirito Santo’s first team squad, another West Ham United teenager is proving himself to be quite the leader himself at youth level.
While taking the armband for the Under-21s at the age of just 17, Airidas Golambeckis is following in Declan Rice’s footsteps at the London Stadium.
The Conference League-winning skipper also captained the West Ham United reserve team before his 18th birthday. And if Golambeckis goes on to enjoy even a fraction of the success Rice tasted on the senior stage, the England youth star will have a very bright future ahead of him in claret and blue.
Golambeckis is a regular at Rush Green these days. He was even included in the matchday squad for the first time during the recent 3-2 victory over Burnley.
Now, Nuno is determined to make the most of West Ham’s academy. One of the most prosperous youth systems in English football. That bodes well, then, for the likes of Callum Leacock. Another fresh-faced defender considered to have the potential to fight for a senior role later down the line.
And, like Golambeckis, West Ham appear to see captain material in the Northern Ireland Under-19 international full-back.
Callum Leacock will captain West Ham United in the FA Youth Cup against Preston
West Ham signed Callum Leacock from Linfield back in July, the teenager following in the footsteps of his compatriot Joel Kerr. He was immediately handed the captaincy by Under-18 coach Lauris Coggin too.
A source of pride for a teenager who opened his Hammers account in a 3-2 triumph over Crystal Palace last time out.
“Coming in as a new player, it’s like anywhere where you’re going into a new job,” Leacock tells the club’s official website. “But I can’t thank these boys and the staff enough. As soon as I came in, they made me feel welcome.
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“It was a big change going from training one or two nights a week to full-time football here in the summer. I played a bit of Gaelic football back home which was great for my fitness. I was lucky enough to play for my county, so was very glad I got that opportunity.
“Being given the captaincy for the U18s at West Ham is such a big personal achievement. I wore the armband for the first time when we played Leeds in pre-season. The boys chose me to be captain, I thought I led well and we won the game.
“Then during our pre-season trip in Prague, we had other players captain. But, before the first league game, Lauris said I was going to be captain this year and I was buzzing. It’s a huge honour and I can’t wait to lead the boys out on Wednesday night.”
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West Ham won the FA Youth Cup back in 2023. The likes of George Earthy, Kaelan Casey, Callum Marshall and Lewis Orford scored in that 5-1 thrashing of Arsenal, while Gideon Kodua scored a stunner against his now-Luton boss Jack Wilshere on that glorious afternoon in North London.
Coggin’s team are looking to take back their crown this season. Leacock will captain West Ham’s current generation as their Youth Cup campaign gets underway against Preston North End today.
Leacock signed professional terms three months ago.
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“Callum is everything you’re looking for, not just in a player but in the way he carries himself on and off the pitch,” academy manager Kenny Brown says of a defender who already has a reputation for leading by example.
“It’s a joy because he comes in, he wants to learn, and he’s coachable. He’s a good person in the dressing room and is already well liked and well respected, and from day one has just hit the ground running, and that’s full credit to him.
“Everyone’s excited to see what else he can bring to the table and how far we can get him because he’s already excelled in this environment every day. We expect a really bright future with Callum.”
Mark Noble is convinced Airidas Golambeckis will make the grade
Leacock is one of a number of rising stars who the Hammers have tied down, alongside Mohamadou Kante, Preston Fearon, Josh Landers, Ezra Mayers and more.
Sporting director Mark Noble is convinced Golambeckis can follow in his footsteps, too. A Premier League debut now seems closer than ever for the elegant centre-half.
“He’s a great kid and a top player. Being captain of our Under-21s team at such a young age is a real honour, but he’s still got loads to learn,” Noble said when Golambeckis himself put pen to paper.
“He’s another one that we’ve got real high hopes for. I really believe he’s got a chance.”
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