West Ham United have confirmed the signing of a professional contract with 17-year-old Nigerian striker Elisha Sowunmi, ending speculation over his future and shutting the door on growing interest from Club Brugge and other European sides, Footynaija.com reports.
Sowunmi, who joined the West Ham academy at the age of five, enjoyed a breakout campaign in the 2024–25 season with the U18s, finishing as their top scorer with 16 goals and five assists across all competitions.
His form was central to West Ham’s run to the U18 Premier League Cup title, where he not only scored regularly but also provided the assist for the winning goal in the final.
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While Club Brugge had been monitoring Sowunmi closely for several months and were reportedly preparing a move to lure him away from London, West Ham acted swiftly to secure their talent.
Reports indicate that the Belgian club were ready to make a formal approach before West Ham tied him down with his first professional deal.
Born in England but eligible to represent Nigeria through his parents, Sowunmi joins the list of promising young forward of Nigerian descent currently playing in Europe.
Speaking after signing the deal, the youngster expressed his joy:
“It feels good to have signed my first professional contract. Being a professional footballer is something I’ve thought about for so many years, so for it to finally happen is such a great feeling,” he said, per West Ham official website.
He added that sharing this achievement with teammates he has grown up with through the academy made the moment even more special.
The 2024–25 season was Sowunmi’s most productive spell since joining the club, with standout moments including two separate hat-tricks and a consistent scoring run that caught the attention of clubs outside England.
“This season has definitely been one of my best,” he said. “Scoring goals and winning the Premier League Cup was amazing. It’s been a season that I’ll always look back on with pride.”
Looking ahead, Sowunmi is expected to move up to the U21s for the 2025–26 season and may be in line for a first-team debut if his progress continues.
