The joy was clear on Lewis Orford’s face.
Two days after his 17th birthday, the lifelong Hammers fan penned his first professional contract with his boyhood Club at the iconic Chadwell Heath training ground.
Unsurprisingly, it was an emotional occasion for the young midfielder. Years of hard work, up until this point, had paid off.
“I am absolutely thrilled,” said Orford, who netted his seventh goal of the season in the 6-0 win over Norwich City at the weekend.
“I have been here since the age of five, so it has been a long but really good journey and I have loved making memories here at the Club.
“I never imagined going this far, to be honest, but I have worked hard, and I am just really happy to sign this contract and I look forward to what is going on in the future.”
For any Hammer to sign professional terms, the journey is a long one to reach this stage.
With hard work and dedication embodied by the midfielder from a young age, Orford has progressed rapidly through the Hammers’ ranks since he first arrived at Chadwell Heath, although the last two years has been something else.
He made his U18s debut only last season, scoring three goals for Kevin Keen’s side in 2021/22, before signing Scholarship terms with the Academy in June 2022.
A year later, he has continued that rise.
The 2022/23 season began with Orford in inspired form for the U18s, scoring four goals in the side’s opening five games in the U18 Premier League South, earning him a first chance in the U21s.
Talented on the ball and with an eye for goal, the youngster would be introduced for his debut in the development team in a Papa Johns Trophy clash away to MK Dons in October, before going on to make starts in the Premier League International Cup clashes against PSV Eindhoven and Feyenoord.
Orford earned his Premier League 2 debut in January, coming on as a late substitute in the 2-1 win away to Everton.
But the Academy youngster has also enjoyed the experience of travelling with the first team. Alongside fellow U18s players Ollie Scarles, Divin Mubama and Kaelan Casey, Orford was part of the matchday squad that helped the Irons maintain a 100% record in the UEFA Europa Conference League group stage with a 3-0 win over FCSB.
And while a debut did not arrive for Orford, the experience will live long in the memory. A first professional contract is a sign that a senior debut is not too way away for the 17-year-old.
“It was unbelievable,” Orford added. "The experience of travelling for a European away fixture, “going on the plane, with all the facilities we get. Of course, I just want to get that as much as I can. Seeing the boys make their debut, I want to be there as soon as possible.
“Everything gets a bit tougher now. It always does as you go up the age groups. When you sign your first professional contract, there are a lot of eyes on you. Now, is the time to really start stepping up and that work will get you closer to the first team.”
For sure, that step up will be aided by the quality Orford and the U18s have shown this year.
Each player pushing their teammate further in training will only help the young Hammers, who have won 13 of their 15 league games and face Ipswich Town at Portman Road on Wednesday 22 February for a place in the FA Youth Cup semi-finals - a feat the Irons last achieved in 1999.
“Last Saturday's win against Norwich City really us back in the driving seat to win the league,” the young midfielder stated. “And with this group of players we have in the U18s, we believe we can go on to maybe win the league and even the Youth Cup as well.
"It is a really good group of lads, and we gel really well. We have really good connections with each other, and I think we will go really far with each other.
And while Orford was centre stage signing his contract, it was as an important moment for his mother and father. A family of West Ham fans, season-ticket holders too, watching their son sign his first contract with Club their support.
It does not get better than that, does it?
“It’s a proud moment for my family as well,” Orford continued. “My dad is a massive West Ham fan. A season ticket holder, so he is very proud of me, and I am sure my mum and the rest of my family are too!”
For a young player, signing for West Ham United brings the confidence of a progression to a first-team chance.
U18s striker Mubama made his Premier League debut away to Arsenal on Boxing Day, while fellow Academy footballer Casey part of the matchday squad away to Tottenham Hotspur in February.
Of course, as a boyhood fan, Orford now wants to emulate those he grew up watching, and make his first team bow.
A senior debut is a goal next in his sights.
“I have been watching Mark Noble all my life,” he stated, on the Hammers he wants to replicate, “and to see him retire was sad last year. I obviously look up to him and Declan Rice too. I want to be as good as Dec is at the moment.
“This Club has a good history of graduates from its Academy over the years, going back 50 years and even further. It’s a good moment for me, and I hope to kick on and get near the first team as soon as I can.”
