West Ham Begin Moves to Solve Problem Goalkeeper Conundrum. Highly rated West Ham youth goalkeeper Lanre Awesu is set to sign professional terms with the club later this month.
Signing a new keeper has become something of a priority for the Hammers, given new manager Graham Potter seems to want his team to pass back to the man between the sticks with regularity. But there appears to be something of a goalkeeping revolution happening at academy level too, as the club look to gradually replace Areola, Fabianski, and Foderingham.
The 17-year-old Awesu signed a scholarship ahead of the 2024/25 season after impressing at the U16 level. He played a key role in helping the Under-18s reach the Premier League Cup final. Awesu saved a penalty in their quarter-final victory against Manchester United in a shoot-out and started in the 3-1 semi-final win over Derby County. He has appeared in four league games for the Under-18s this season.
Awesu has also represented England at U17 level, making his debut in September 2024 and keeping a clean sheet in a 5-0 victory over Mexico.
In February, Graham Potter brought the young keeper into first-team training at the club’s Rush Green base.
Known for his shot-stopping ability, it is promising that West Ham have secured the player on a long-term contract, and it is also encouraging to see Potter and his team taking a close look at the club’s existing talent pool.
