West Ham United brought in a whole host of talented teenagers during the summer of 2025. The first of 2026 is now through the door at Rush Green; Jett Murphy joining his boyhood club from Chelmsford City.
This time last year, East London became home to the likes of Joel Kerr, Dimitri Colau and Callum Leacock while Daniel Cummings was lured south of the border from Celtic.
Eleven months and three weeks since Cummings was unveiled as a West Ham United player, another highly-rated centre-forward by the name of Jett Murphy arrives. Albeit, the journey which took him to East London was a lot shorter than Cummings’ cross-border trip.
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The teenager is a 'natural goalscorer'
Murphy makes the 54-mile journey from Chelmsford’s Dunmow Group Community Stadium. At the age of 18, he scored an impressive seven goals in National League North last season. As part of a two-game trial with West Ham, meanwhile, he would hit a brace in a 5-1 thrashing of Norwich in May.
Enough to earn Murphy a two-year contract at what the official West Ham website reveals is his ‘boyhood club’.
Chelmsford fans and former manager react as West Ham United unveil Jett Murphy
Murphy describes himself as a ‘very hard-working and tenacious player’ who loves to stretch the defence. Kenny Brown, West Ham’s Academy Director, feels they have landed themselves a ‘natural goalscorer’.
Those who watched Murphy rack up eight goals in just 26 senior appearances in Essex, meanwhile, believe this is an opportunity one of the most exciting teenagers in non-league football can grasp with both hands.
“As a West Ham fan and Chelmsford born and raised, I’m surprised the clubs haven’t affiliated more over the years,” one says on X as The Clarets confirm Murphy’s departure. “On paper, it seems to make sense. Hopefully it’s a sign of things going forward for the benefit of both clubs.”
“Best of luck. Great little player. Hopefully we got a good sell-on cause if nothing else.”
“Congratulations to Jett, very well deserved.”
“Congratulations Jett. Huge opportunity fully deserved, go well. If the trajectory of progression that we saw at Chelmsford continues, it’s possible [he can make it at West Ham].”
“Best of luck, Jett. Some talent.”
“All the best. A brilliant young talent and deserves the move.”
“A brilliant move for Jett and I’m thrilled for him. Superb lad, with a top attitude who deserves every opportunity he gets.”
“Amazing talent. We will sorely miss him but he will do amazing things for the academy team and hopefully the first-team.”
Chelmsford even put together a handy package of Murphy’s best moments in a Clarets jersey. He certainly appears to have a knack for being in the right place at the right time. A ‘natural goalscorer’ indeed.
“Over the moon for Jett,” beams Angelo Harrop, the former Chelmsford coach making another reference to Murphy’s insatiable appetite for self-improvement. “A great lad who works incredibly hard every single day to improve.
“Money was never his motivation — he just wanted to play, learn, and get better. Now he’s earned his dream move.
“Proud to have been part of his journey.”
Murphy can barely believe he has joined his boyhood club
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The name ‘Jett’ will feel extremely appropriate if young Murphy flies as high as many in Chelmsford clearly believe he can. In his introductory interview, Murphy indicated that he is likely to play a key role for Greg Lincoln’s Under-21s next term.
“I’m over the moon to have signed for the Club,” he said. “It’s been a lifetime dream of mine and my family’s too, as we’re all West Ham fans. I’ve supported the Club since I was born, so it feels like a full-circle moment. It’s unbelievable and I still can’t get over the fact it’s happened!
“There have been a lot of players who have broken from the Academy into the first team, which is something I hope I can do. The Academy produces a lot of good players, and hopefully that’ll continue this season.”
“I’m a very hard-working and tenacious player, and I like to make runs in behind. I’m hoping to score as many goals as I can for the U21s and see where that takes me.”
“We’re delighted to have Jett here,” adds the aforementioned Kenny Brown. “He made a really strong impression on our recruitment department, who brought in plenty of details and reports around him.
“We’ve got a really good relationship with Chelmsford. They allowed him to come to us [on trial] at the back end of last season and he hit the ground running. He brings energy, he’s a natural goalscorer and he has a great work ethic.
“All of the early signs are really positive and he’s been brilliant on and off the pitch. He’s scored goals everywhere he’s played.
“He’s a good player with great support around him, and we think he’ll fit really well into our U21s. We’re looking forward to developing him and seeing how far we can take him.”
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