The privilege of playing for West Ham United is not lost on Regan Clayton.
The full-back is a lifelong West Ham and achieved his dream of signing professional terms with the Irons late last month, putting pen-to-paper alongside six of his fellow Academy teammates.
While the ink has dried on the deal, Clayton is still living in the high of the moment.
“I feel over the moon,” Clayton told West Ham TV. “I don’t think there is a better feeling. I’ve been at this Club for so long, and supported this Club by whole life. It’s a moment you dream for. I’m living that moment right now.
“I’ve been a West Ham fan my whole life so playing for the Club is such an honour. I joined when I was an U10s player and, for the first few years, I don’t think I’d get to where I am now.
“Then you start playing 11v11s and I really found myself, found who I am. I started playing up the age groups and got to this point. It’s been unbelievable.”
Recalling the moment he found out about his professional deal, Clayton said: “I was in the gym at West Ham and my parents had told me they had a scholars meeting. I didn’t think too much of it.
“The U18s manager - Kevin Keen - came and got me from the gym and took me upstairs. My parents were sat in Ricky Martin’s office, and they told me. I was shocked. I was so happy.
“I looked at my mum and dad’s faces and it was so good. Just looking at them and then getting in the car after, calling my nan, who is my biggest fan, my brother, my friends, the support after that was unreal.”
Reflecting on the 2021/22 campaign, Clayton admits he feels he began the season slowly before finding his feet in Keen’s U18s.
The full-back would make 28 appearances for the U18s and featured for the U23s in the latter stages of the season, earning praise from development team boss Mark Robson.
Clayton is eager to continuing impressing in the new season.
“I feel like I started off slow a bit. I was playing a bit average, but then I found my feet. Towards the back end, I think I played really well. I got my U23s debut and started playing more games there, so I feel like I ended the season really strongly.
“Mark Robson had some nice things to say about me, and it’s so good to see that online. Then you come back into training with the team, into the next game, and it fills you with confidence to go and do what you’re good at.
“It’s been good so far, but there’s still so much more to come. The hard work will definitely continue.”
