The two Nigerian players who signed new deals with West Ham United this week

Two talented teenagers of Nigerian descent signed new contracts with Premier League side West Ham United this week.

Through the club's official website, the Hammers confirmed that Rayan Oyebade and Lanre Awesu have signed their first professional contracts. 

A defender by trade, Oyebade has been on the books of the Hammers since U14 level following a successful trial, after ten years at grassroots clubs Broadwater Farm and Focus Football.

The 17-year-old has played in the U18 Premier League, U18 Premier League Cup, FA Youth Cup and Premier League 2 this season.

The north London native has represented England at U15 level but has not been called up to the Young Lions squads since 2022.

Oyebade has been identified as a player with leadership qualities, captaining West Ham U18s in competitive matches several times this season.

Two days before Oyebade's new contract was announced, West Ham confirmed that Awesu had gone professional—five years after swapping the number 9 shirt for the number 1.

He was initially a center forward in his earlier years before deciding to become a goalkeeper. 

Just last month, Awesu became provisionally cap-tied to England, making his competitive debut for the England youth team in a European U17 Championship qualifier against Northern Ireland, keeping a clean sheet in a 5-0 victory. 

Norwich City passed up the opportunity to sign Awesu before he joined West Ham, following a successful trial that lasted for about two months.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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