Jesse Marsch has shared some early praise for Sonny Perkins after Leeds United signed the teen to a three-year deal after leaving West Ham United, via The Yorkshire Evening Post.
Perkins elected to leave the Hammers at the end of his scholarship contract in June, having rejected a first professional deal. David Moyes had wanted to keep the England U18 talent at the London Stadium, where the 18-year-old made his first-team breakthrough last term.
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Moyes afforded Perkins his senior debut during a Europa League group stage win away to Rapid Vienna in November. The London-born gem also enjoyed a further first-team chance in Europe against Dinamo Zagreb, plus his Premier League bow against Leeds this January.
Perkins is training with Leeds’ U21s after signing from West Ham for compensation for his development. The Whites intend to keep the centre-forward playing development football in the upcoming season, before providing him with a path to consistent first-team fixtures.
Last term only just marked Perkins’ promotion to U23s level after making his debut in the Premier League 2 in September. The teenager went on to end the campaign with 12 goals and an assist over 21 appearances, on top of the four in four he scored for the Irons’ U18s.
Jesse Marsch hails ‘explosive striker’ Sonny Perkins as Leeds sign West Ham gem
Marsch is now looking forward to working with Perkins after Leeds signed the West Ham product. The Whites boss is pleased with the reports his junior coaches have issued on his progress since arriving in West Yorkshire, plus the qualities the forward has so far shown.
“He’s been at Thorp Arch training with our 21s and we’ve had really good feedback so far,” Marsch said. “So, I’m looking forward to getting back and getting to know him more and getting to work with him more on a daily basis
“He’s got qualities and [is an] explosive striker. I think he has flexibility in the positions he can play. He’s an intelligent player. We’re really excited to add him to our to our club.”
Perkins will hope to leave a positive impression in person once Marsch and the Leeds first-team return from their pre-season tour of Australia. He could also look to make his senior debut in the Carabao Cup, and build on the 102 first-team minutes amassed at West Ham.
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