West Ham United starlet Jamal Baptiste has spoken to David Moyes about his future after the teenager was handed his first professional contract, academy manager Ricky Martin revealed to the Hammers’ website.
The 17-year-old centre-back is certainly in good hands at the London Stadium.
Baptiste has caught the eye with his performances at youth level in recent months and, after seeing Harrison Ashby, Emmanuel Longelo, Ben Johnson and Ajibola Alese make first-team appearances of late, he knows opportunities are there for young players with an attitude to match their ability.
England youth star Baptiste is already a regular for West Ham’s U23 side.
He was rewarded with a two-and-a-half year professional contract this week too, with Moyes taking an interest in Baptiste’s development under highly rated youth coach Dmitri Halajko.
“Jamal is one of the youngest players to play regularly for our U23s, and he’s representing his country. His profile is good, but at the moment he’s still in the development stages,” academy manager Martin says.
“He’s met the manager (Moyes) and he has put that message across to Jamal and his family. It’s very much one step on the ladder, but he’s got many more steps to take.
“Jamal knows that, we know that, and we’re here as an academy to help our young players to develop.”
Baptiste idolises Declan Rice, the home-grown starlet turned Hammers hero, and hopes to follow in his esteemed footsteps.
He can certainly take plenty of confidence from knowing Moyes is keeping a close eye on things.
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