The significance of the moment has not been lost on Will Greenidge.
The centre-back has put pen to paper on his first professional contract with West Ham United, rewarding the youngster for his hard work, tenacity and dedication after 14 years within the Academy of Football.
Having joined the Hammers – his boyhood club – at just six-years-old, Greenidge could not help but reflect on his journey so far as he sat down to discuss his professional deal.
“It’s a very good feeling for me and my family. It’s been a long journey,” the 20-year-old said. “I joined when I was six, so to be able to come this far and say at 20 that I’m a footballer at West Ham is a really good feeling.
“It’s definitely…it’s probably the biggest moment of my career, at least at the moment. I just can’t wait to get started again. I’m a West Ham fan, and so are my family, so there were definitely no complaints about the deal!
“I just feel, this season, Mark Robson coming in as well during the season, to have a first pre-season with him, I can really learn a lot and take my career and abilities to the next step. I can’t wait for the next year and to hopefully make the next step, up into the first team.
Greenidge has been with the U23s throughout the 2021/22 campaign, helping the side take second place in Premier League 2 Division 1 after narrowly missing out to Manchester City in the race for the title.
For the defender himself, a promising campaign was hampered by injury prior to Christmas. However, having come back in March, the versatile Greenidge is ready for what 2022/23 has to bring.
“As a team, it was a very good season. We finished second and for us to be a bit disappointed that we didn’t come first shows how high our standards were raised during the season.
“On a personal level, I think I performed well when I played. I had a big injury over the Christmas period which didn’t help my case. I think it was still a good season for me and one I can build one.
“I feel back to my best...maybe even better than I felt before. I think it might have fixed a few problems I might have had. Again, everything is just leading towards a good pre-season and an even bigger season.”
Greenidge celebrated his 20th birthday three weeks ago and, having now signed his first professional deal, believes the coming season has to be his biggest in football so far in his young career.
He added: “This is going to be one of those seasons where, at the end of the season I’ll be 21 and it’s really time to make that step and show that I can perform at a high level consistently.
“Maybe that’s one thing I’ve been missing, because of injuries or changing positions – I’ve not really been able to solidify one position. Hopefully I can change that this year and who knows what could happen.”
