Mason Terry could not contain his joy at agreeing professional terms with West Ham United.
Almost a decade after joining the Hammers, the 18-year-old signed his first professional deal with the Club, rounding off a superb 2022/23 season for the goalkeeper.
Terry has been in fine form this campaign for the U18s and has played a key part in a historic FA Youth Cup and U18 Premier League South double.
The Academy of Football graduate feels the professional deal is proof that his hard work has paid off.
“I am absolutely delighted,” Terry told whufc.com. “I’ve been at the Club since I was eight or nine so it is a dream come true to sit here today having just signed my first professional contract with this Club. I’ve worked so hard to get to this moment and it’s rewarding to say that my hard work has paid off. I couldn’t be happier.”
“Finding out was amazing, it’s the best news I have ever received. As I said, I’ve been here for a long time and I have worked my way up through the retained and released lists. Then I wasn’t sure whether I’d get a scholarship, but I did, and the next step after that is a professional contract and I’m so pleased to have received that."
Signing your first professional contract is a special moment for any young footballer, and Terry was delighted to share the moment with his parents.
“They’re all absolutely buzzing for me,” he continued. “They have supported me throughout my whole journey and if it wasn’t for my mum and dad I wouldn’t be here today.
"We live in Canvey Island so my parents have had to drive me to and from training four or five times a week and then back for my matches at the weekend.
“If they weren’t there for me to do that then I wouldn’t be sitting here today, so I am incredibly thankful to them. I now have a professional contract so this is a big thank you to them."
Terry has enjoyed a fantastic season on a personal level, keeping a clean sheet in almost half of the matches he started.
The youngster was keen to lift the lid on the life of an Academy goalkeeper after such a positive season.
“I’m really pleased with my performances this season. Obviously, it’s difficult to keep a clean sheet in U18s football so it is a great achievement whenever I keep one, whether that’s in the league or in the cup.
“This season is something that I will always be proud of. I enjoy playing in the big games, even though I feel much more nervous before those matches. But once we’ve done the warmups and I’ve got my first touch of the ball I feel so much better. If I start in a positive way then that sets the tone for the rest of the match.
“It can be difficult being a goalkeeper because there’s only one spot up for grabs. If you are an outfield player you have the opportunity to play in a couple of different positions, whereas I’m fighting for that one spot.
“Sometimes it can be really tough when you aren’t getting picked because you don’t normally rotate goalkeepers. During those times you have to keep disciplined and keep working hard. When the opportunity comes you have to take it.
“I feel like I’ve made the most of my opportunities this season. I’ve worked so hard and receiving my professional deal just shows that the hard work has paid off.”
Terry has enjoyed immense success with Kevin Keen’s U18 side this season, playing a significant part in both U18 Premier League South and FA Youth Cup successes.
After a successful season, Terry is looking to continue his development at Rush Green next season with Mark Robson’s U21s.
He finished: “It has been an unbelievable season. Obviously winning the FA Youth Cup and the league stands out. We were really unlucky in the National final against Manchester City, but unfortunately that one didn’t go our way.
“It has been an incredible season and I have enjoyed every single moment of it. The aim is to continue in the same way now that I have signed this contract.
“I’m really excited about next season. I’ll be based at Rush Green with the U21s instead of at Chadwell Heath with the U18s, and the first team will be training two pitches along from me.
“Hopefully I can make a good impression and if I get an opportunity to train with them it’ll be all about showing them what I can do.”
