West Ham sign ‘high-energy midfielder’ who has ‘shocked’ Hammers boss already

Another day, another fresh-faced young talent arriving at the London Stadium as West Ham United’s youth-focused recruitment drive continues apace.Last week, West Ham signed Linfield defender Callum Leacock.This came just days after sporting director Mark Noble welcomed Daniel Cummings to the English capital following his contentious departure from Celtic. Cummings trained alongside Mohamadou Kante, a promising midfielder snapped up from Paris FC, for the first time in early-July.Then, West Ham confirmed that Joel Kerr had signed a full-time scholarship deal on Monday. Kerr, another Northern Ireland youth star to go alongside Leacock, was one of eleven teenage talents to put pen to paper.Academy manager Kenny Brown spoke glowingly and excitedly about West Ham United’s next generation, too, at a special dinner designed to reward the progress of Joe Scanlon, Chukwuemeka Obi, and the club’s other bright young things.Now, some 48 hours later, it is the turn of Connor Brooks to be welcomed with open arms.Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty ImagesKenny Brown lauds Connor Brooks as West Ham United sign new midfielderBrooks, a 17-year-old midfielder, joins West Ham from Isthmian League North Division side Concord Rangers. The tenacious teenager has been praised for his adaptability, not to mention the drive and the passion with which he plays the game.“We have watched Connor numerous times, and we are delighted to have signed him,” Brown tells the Hammers’ official website. “He’s a high-energy midfield player, who can manipulate the ball, tackle and can score goals.“So he’s got all the attributes to succeed with us, and he adds to what we’ve already got in the group.”West Ham United is pleased to confirm that 17-year-old midfielder Connor Brooks has joined the Club’s Academy U18s squad from Isthmian League North Division side Concord Rangers ⚒️Congratulations, Connor! 👏— West Ham United (@WestHam) July 9, 2025 View Tweet Brooks, meanwhile, describes himself as a ‘competitive defensive or box-to-box midfielder and can break up play, find passes and score a few goals’. One suspects Mark Noble, already a committed member of the Daniel Cummings fanclub, is likely to be a keen admirer of Connor Brooks too.Kenny Brown explains what ‘shocked’ him about Brooks“He came in on trial and impressed everyone with his application and his attitude, and the intensity of the sessions rose with him being in there,” Brown adds, the midfielder a rare West Ham addition from non-league football.“We’re excited about it because it’s a different route of recruitment for us, and it isn’t something we tend to do. But it just shows if you’re good enough, someone’s going to notice you, and Connor’s done that with us and fully deserves to sign a professional contract with West Ham United.“I was really shocked to find out he was just 16 years old when we first started watching him, but we’ve all seen the benefit of young players playing in men’s football, with the likes of Callum [Marshall], Patrick [Kelly] and Josh [Briggs] also playing men’s football at a young age.“I think this is another really good example of a boy who hasn’t been in an academy, loves his football and goes and plays at the highest level he can. He was playing week in, week out for Concord up against men and flourished in that environment.“There’s loads of potential with Connor, and we’re all excited to work with him. He’s now a professional footballer at West Ham United, and I know that won’t be lost on him, and he’ll give everything to fulfil his potential.”Brooks played over 20 first-team games in his final season at Concord Rangers. It remains to be seen what West Ham’s initial plans are for him, though a spot alongside Cummings, Kante and co in Mark Robson’s Under-21 side may be up for grabs.