After a season which saw them win the Premier League Cup for the first time, Lauris Coggin and his new crop of U18s are ready to do it all over again as the new 2025/26 campaign edges closer.
During the summer, Coggin has welcomed thirteen new players into his squad. Ten first-year scholars from West Ham United’s U16s group and three new signings: Connor Brooks from Concord Rangers and Northern Ireland youth internationals Callum Leacock and Joel Kerr.
“The group have created a family feel amongst them that stems from the hard work and togetherness that the players and staff have shown,” Coggin said.
“That has made it easier for players like Callum Leacock and Joel Kerr to settle quickly. Both have shown their quality, and the first-year scholars have so far been a pleasure to work with.”
Ahead of their U18 Premier League South opener at runners-up Southampton on Saturday, our young Hammers have had a busy pre-season which has included trips to York and Prague.
During that period, they have played seven matches in total, registering wins over Leeds United, Salford City and Northampton Town, and draws against Liverpool and NEXTGEN CUP winners FC Midtjylland U19s, while falling to narrow defeats against SK Slavia Praha U19s and Rangers U19s.
“It was a great experience in Prague to cap off what has been a fantastic pre-season for our group," Coggin added.
“The level of games that we had were naturally a step up, with us facing the U19 sides of SK Slavia Praha, FC Midtjylland and Rangers. The boys continued to show the strong mentality that has been forged over the past weeks.”
You can watch highlights of their last four pre-season outings below…
Liverpool U18s 1-1 West Ham United U18s
St George’s Park, Sunday 26 July 2025, 12pm
SK Slavia Praha U19s 2-1 West Ham United U18s
TC Strahov Pitch, Prague, Wednesday 6 August 2025, 4.30pm BST
West Ham United U18s 1-1 FC Midtjylland U19s
TC Strahov, Prague, Friday 8 August 2025, 2pm BST
Rangers U19s 4-3 West Ham United U18s
Loko Praha, Prague, Sunday 10 August 2025, 9am BST