West Ham Academy player Airidas Golambeckis has been tipped as one to look out for.

Having recently scored his first goal for England at youth level, the Club’s official website recently sat down with the youngster to find out more about his footballing journey.

With the Hammers currently having many exciting talents coming through, it is certainly testament to Golambeckis that his talent is being recognised and that at just 16 he is already being tipped to have a great future ahead of him.

Golambeckis has only been a scholar for a few months and has already been making his mark. The centre half currently has five goals in nine matches for West Ham’s U18’s. Since scoring an equaliser against Brighton back in August, seeing the 16 year old on the score sheet for West Ham has become commonplace.

His form in front of goal has translated to international level too where he netted for England’s U18 side against Ukraine in just his third start for the Three Lions.

Discussing his goal for the Three Lions, Golambeckis said: “Scoring for England is probably the highlight of my year. There’s been a lot, so it’s hard to pick, but that’s probably it ! After I scored I was ecstatic. I knew Mum and Dad were in the crowd. It was a very special moment.”

The youngster has already been on West Ham’s books for a number of years having first began training at Chadwell Heath with  the under 9’s after playing as part of the Club’s Foundations development schools for a couple of years. Having been born and grown up in East London, the 16 year old grew up following West Ham and is from a household of Hammers supporters.

Speaking about his early years following West Ham and he and his family’s love for the club, the defender said: “I’m a big West Ham supporter, my whole family is. We used to go to games at Upton Park. Everyone loves West Ham in my family. Obviously to play for the Club my family and I support is massive for me. My whole family have played a huge role in getting me where I am right now.”

At just 16, Golambeckis has already made an excellent start to his youth career at West Ham. He signed his scholarship this summer, following a season where he played regularly for the U18’s and even made his debut for West Ham’s U21 side. The young defender received his first call up for England at youth level in September having previously represented his parents nation Lithuania at U16 level.

The sky seems to be the limit for Golambeckis, who has his sights, on a personal level set on a good season with the U18’s, more opportunities with the U21’s as well as hopefully one day getting his chance with the first team.

“Getting that first league win against Spurs was huge. I think we can still contend for the first positions in the league.” said Golambeckis, who went on to add: “I want to be more consistent, in training as well as in games. I want to score more goals because I know how clinical I can be in the box. Looking onwards, the goal is to get more minutes for the U21’s and make a good impression if I get called to train with the first team.”