There was a little glimpse into exactly what makes Preston Fearon arguably the cream of West Ham United’s 2025/26 academy crop during the 3-2 EFL Trophy victory over Swindon Town on Tuesday night.
And considering that the West Ham wonderkid has embarrassed Jarrod Bowen a few times on the training pitch – his trademark party piece leaving the skipper for scratching his head at Rush Green – fourth-tier Swindon really had no chance.
While the Hammers fans relished seeing Mohamadou Kante storm up the field before assisting the prolific Josh Landers at the County Ground, it was Preston Fearon who sparked the move which put Glen Lincoln’s side into the knockout rounds of the EFL Trophy.
Skipping forward on the counter attack, the spring-heeled 18-year-old nutmegged an unsuspecting Swindon player while setting Kante away.
That mesmerising footwork is what makes Fearon such a ‘special’ talent, to quote Bowen himself.
Speaking to the official West Ham United website, after the one-time Chelsea kid put pen to paper on a new contract until the summer of 2028, sporting director Mark Noble was just as effusive with his own glowing assessment of the twinkle-toed teenager.
Mark Noble says Preston Fearon’s vision is ‘second to none’ at West Ham United
The Hammers have been handing out contracts like treats on a Halloween night of late. This week alone, Kante, Landers and Fearon have all committed their future to the East London outfit.
Stylish centre-back Ezra Mayers will remain a West Ham player for the foreseeable, too.
During the pre-season tour of the USA, shortly after Fearon made his first senior appearance in a defeat to Manchester United, Mark Noble spoke glowingly about West Ham’s next generation. He, then, will be as delighted as anyone to see him entrust his development to the club which put Declan Rice, Michael Carrick, Joe Cole, Frank Lampard and Rio Ferdinand on the map.
“Preston’s come really far, he’s a fantastic young player,” says Noble. “His vision is second to none. He knows his pass. He’s athletic. A very clever player
“I always say to the Academy boys, ‘you don’t get many chances at first-team level because the quality is that strong in the Premier League. Once you get a chance, you’ve got to take it’.
“I believe Preston has got a chance, I really do. I want the boys to not become complacent after signing a new contract. I want to push them to the next level. Never take it for granted, they’ve got to work hard to play for West Ham.
“You’ve got to stay hungry and it’s down to us to keep them hungry and keep pushing them. He’s got all the ingredients to be a top player and I look forward to seeing him continue pushing towards first-team football.”
Fearon delighted to sign new deal as Jarrod Bowen praise rings in his ears
Graduating from the Under-18s to the Under-21s after providing six assists in 20 games last season, West Ham’s number 68 is already proving that he is just as capable of terrorising experienced, professional opposition.
Preston Fearon scored twice against MK Dons in a 5-1 EFL Trophy thrashing in September, the Hammers picking up two wins from three matches in the group stage.
“Ever since I came to the Club when I was at Under-15s, I felt part of the family, and to continue to be part of the family for the next three years is a great achievement. It feels really good,” Fearon says.
“My confidence was low after I was released [by Chelsea], but joining West Ham, working with some great coaches, especially Lauris [Coggin], who has been part of my journey since Under-15s through to Under-18s, has allowed me to express myself on the pitch and do what I love.”
”He’s a special player,” Bowen smiled when talking about the teenager over the summer. “I’ve never seen someone nutmeg so many people in training. He’s done it to me a couple of times as well!
“I’ll let him off, because he’s a special player, and a really good person as well. He’s really grounded, and he really wants to work hard.
“I’m proud of him and so happy for him.”
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