West Ham United are pleased to announce that promising young forward Thierry Nevers will join the Club on a three-year contract, with the option for an additional year.
The deal, which will be completed when the summer transfer window opens on Wednesday 9 June, will see Nevers join the Hammers from Reading, where the 19-year-old spent nine years in the academy system of his local club.
Despite his tender age, Nevers has already accumulated three seasons’ worth of experience of U23s football with the Royals, scoring nine times in 25 appearances in Premier League 2 – including against the Hammers in a 3-3 draw last year.
Quick, skilful and possessing a razor-sharp eye for goal, Nevers is looking forward to the prospect of furthering his development under the Academy of Football’s tutelage.
This move is probably the biggest step in my career so far. I feel very excited to see what the future holds
Thierry Nevers
Nevers said: “I’m very excited to join West Ham United.
“This move is probably the biggest step in my career so far. I feel very excited to see what the future holds – there’s a lot of opportunity here.
“It’s exciting to make that jump to a big Premier League club with a good historical foundation. The first team are doing well, and the Academy have got a good reputation with the players they’ve brought through.
“I’m looking forward to hopefully hitting the ground running when I come back for pre-season, and then it all starts from there, from my very first day.”
Berkshire born and raised, Nevers is an exciting young talent who cites the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar amongst his footballing inspirations – not just for their flair, but their hard-working qualities also.
Typically deployed on the left wing, but equally adept playing through the middle, Nevers became a regular for Reading’s U18s in 2017/18 whilst still a schoolboy.
The promising forward’s Premier League 2 breakthrough subsequently arrived last season, with Nevers recording four goals and two assists in his first five starts for Reading’s U23s.
“I sort of got used to being one of the youngest players,” Nevers admitted.
“I’m not the smallest teenager, so I did have that to my advantage, but there were always going to be bigger players than me, so mentally I just prepared for that.
“One of my old coaches told me ‘hard work beats talent every day’ and that’s what I live by.
“I’ve always been an attack-minded player, and I try to be entertaining. I just enjoy playing with skills, pace, finishing – and goals!”
Thierry is someone that we’ve been following for the last couple of seasons. He’s put in some very impressive performances
Ricky Martin
Academy Manager Ricky Martin is looking forward to seeing Nevers’ promise translate into further progression at Chadwell Heath, adding: “I’m really excited to wish Thierry a warm welcome to West Ham United.
“Thierry is someone that we’ve been following for the last couple of seasons. He’s put in some very impressive performances, and we’re really excited to introduce him to the U23s squad.
“We hope he will have a very successful career at the Hammers.”
Nevers will link up with his new West Ham U23s teammates when their 2021/22 preparations begin at the end of June, prior to a six-day pre-season training camp in Loughborough in early July.
Everyone at West Ham United would like to welcome Thierry to east London and wish him the very best for his career in Claret and Blue.
