Eighteen year old goalkeeper Mason Terry has signed his first professional contract with West Ham.

Terry battled his way to become the U18’s first choice keeper and this season he’s shown why Kevin Keen put his trust in him. He made 23 appearances in all competitions for the U18s and his U21s debut. In 14 league appearances, he kept an impressive 7 clean sheets.

“I am absolutely delighted to sign my contract,” he told the official site. He continued, saying “I’ve been at the club since I was eight or nine so it is a dream come true to sign my first professional contract with this club.”

There’s no doubt that the youngster deserved the contract, with him putting in some top class performances. It’s been no easy task, but his efforts have been rewarded. “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,” he stated.

“It has been an unbelievable season. Obviously winning the FA Youth Cup and the U18 Premier League South stands out. It has been an incredible season and I have enjoyed every single moment of it. The aim now is to continue in the same way now that I have signed this contract.”

With him moving up an age group, it’ll also be a change of scenery for him. “I’ll be based at Rush Green with the U21s instead of at Chadwell Heath with the U18s,” he confirmed, “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.”

The shot-stopper is spoken highly of by everyone at the club, especially by academy manager Kenny Brown. “Mason has been with the Club since he was nine-years-old and has developed not only into a talented young goalkeeper, but also a truly nice young man,” Brown revealed.

Like many of the youth players, Terry has the potential to go on and develop into a great player. The saves he makes are incredible and moving up to the next step opens up the opportunity to, potentially, learn from the likes of Areola and Fabianski. 

Additionally, the latter isn’t getting any younger and next season could be his last in claret and blue. This may open the door for one the clubs young keepers to get their big break. 

This is the most exciting group of youngsters the club have had in a long time. With the right mindset and training we could have some great prospects on our hands. There’s a way to go for them but it really is great to know ‘The Academy of Football’ is still going strong and the club’s history of developing great players isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.