By Sam Stone

29th Nov, 2022 | 9:46pm

West Ham United youngster Callum Marshall signs first professional contract

West Ham United striker Callum Marshall has signed his first professional contract at the London Stadium after his move from Linfield.

The 18-year-old signed a scholarship deal in January and has since gone on to be a hit for the Hammers in their youth team set-up

Marshall scored nine goals in 15 matches for Kevin Keen’s under-18 side and has since gone on to make his debut for the under-21s side.

Promising

This looks like a smart piece of business from the Hammers, who have been guilty of not paying attention to some of their best talents in recent years. Sonny Perkins left the club in the summer and Harrison Ashby also looks set to depart with Newcastle United keen on the 21-year-old.

West Ham are known for having an impressive academy, and ensuring they continue to utilise it correctly is a must. Declan Rice and Ben Johnson are the two big names to make an impact in recent years. There are plenty of young players pushing for an opportunity at the London Stadium, but the Premier League squad looks like a tough nut to crack at the moment.

The Irons’ poor start to their league season has made it hard for Moyes to give some of his youth products sufficient game time. Hopefully, his side can pick up their form and turn their season around in the coming months, which will allow the Scot to blood more of his youngsters.

Marshall certainly looks like an exciting young player but it’s now crucial he keeps his head down and works hard, with men’s first-team football becoming an increasingly tougher nut to crack for younger players.

In other West Ham news, Harrison Ashby’s West Ham United contract debacle is not a good look for the youngster.