While West Ham United’s wait for a first big-money signing of the summer drags on, the Premier League outfit have been very busy this week when it comes to tying down a host of talented teenagers.
Daniel Cummings completed his departure from Celtic on July 1st.
The Scotland Under-19 striker officially became a West Ham United player when his contract expired north of the border; sporting director Mark Noble head over heels for Cummings already on the back of 38 goals in 58 games for Celtic’s B Team.
West Ham snapped up Northern Ireland starlet Callum Leacock a couple of days later. The teenage right-back joins compatriot Joel Kerr in the English capital.
In what could be another long-term coup for the London Stadium outfit, England youth star Andre Dike signed professional terms on Saturday too, much to the delight of the club’s academy manager Kenny Brown.
Kenny Brown delighted as England U17 star Andre Dike signs West Ham United deal
Brown has watched 17-year-old Andre Dike blossom in claret and blue.
Capped five times for England’s Under-17s, and a two-time goalscorer, the versatile forward was one of the standout performers as West Ham finished a disappointing ninth in the U18 Premier League table last time out.
“We’re all delighted for Andre,” Brown tells the club’s official website as the ink dries on Dike’s first pro deal. “He’s been with us for a long time now, and we’ve seen him grow into a mature, intelligent young man.
“He’s got great technical ability, he’s added more dynamism to his game, and there’s more end product in his play now.”
Dike, who can play on the left, the right or through the middle, scored three times and set up two more goals across 18 youth-team games last season.
His highlight of a much-improved campaign saw Dike net twice in a thrilling 4-2 victory over London neighbours Tottenham Hotspur.
And Brown feels that the next challenge facing the skilful attacker is to force his way into Mark Robson’s Under-21 squad.
“This [improvement in the final third] is a credit to Andre himself, as well as to the staff who work with him day in, day out. He comes in every day eager to improve. He’s well-liked in the dressing room, he’s humble and he carries himself the right way.
“Our aim is to help him push into the U21s set-up this season. He’s got the opportunity and the potential. Now it’s about continuing to work hard and take those next steps.”
Dike admits signing professional West Ham contract is a ‘dream’ come true
The likes of Daniel Cummings and Mohamadou Kante trained with West Ham’s reserves for the first time this week, the former crossing the border in pursuit of first-team football and the latter arriving after helping Paris FC seal promotion to France’s top flight.
Dike, should he maintain his current rate of progress, could be sharing a pitch with Cummings and Kante sooner rather than later.
“It’s something that a lot of people dream of,” Dike beams when putting pen to paper at Rush Green. “I’m just grateful to be in a position where I can say that I’ve signed a professional contract.
“At a club like West Ham United, it’s obviously a great privilege, and I’m grateful for everyone that’s helped me along the way.
“I want to thank God first. I used to pray for moments like this when I was younger. I want to thank my parents for the sacrifices they’ve made for me and the platform they’ve given me. My brothers, my sisters and all my friends as well for getting me through hard times.
“I come from humble beginnings. There aren’t any footballers in my family that have become professional, so it’s special to be the first one to do it. It means a lot to my family and even our family back home in Nigeria as well. It’s just a great day.
“It’s something I’ve prayed for and worked on for a long, long time. For it to actually happen and become a reality, it’s great.”
The official West Ham website describes Dike, who scored on his England Under-17 debut during a 5-0 drubbing of Mexico, as an ‘intelligent player [who] he likes to combine and link with other players, while also having excellent dribbling and finishing skills of his own’.
He joined The Hammers from Thurrock District at the age of 10. Dike was also part of the West Ham team which claimed the 2024/25 Premier League Cup title.
Josh Ajala’s brace fired West Ham past Reading in April’s final.
“There were highs and lows last year,” Dike admits. “But I know I can turn these into lessons and take those learnings into next season and the rest of my career.
“It was good for us to win the silverware. I think there’s big things to come for me this season. I feel like the U18s team we have this year can do really good things in the league and also in the FA Youth Cup and Premier League Cup.”
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