After a month’s break, West Ham United’s U21s are back at Rush Green training ground as preparations begin for the 2025/26 season.
Following a strong 2024/25 campaign, in which the young Hammers finished fourth in Premier League 2, a number of last season’s U18s from the Academy’s Premier League Cup-winning squad have stepped up to the development team for their first year as professionals.
The group was also bolstered by new arrival Daniel Cummings, who joined from Celtic on 1 July, as well as several returning loanees. Mohamadou Kanté, who helped Paris FC win promotion to Ligue 1 in France, Patrick Kelly, fresh from winning the EFL League Two title with Doncaster Rovers, and both Gideon Kodua and Michael Forbes have rejoined the group ahead of a busy summer schedule.
“We’ve been back in for a couple of days now,” said lead coach Mark Robson. “There’s been some testing, some light work, and a lot of physical preparation. That’s what pre-season is about, getting the players fit and ready for the season ahead.
“It’s always tough, but we’re going to push even harder this year. We want the group to be in the best possible place when the season starts. It’s going to be another long campaign with lots of matches.”
To prepare for the season ahead, where they will be competing in Premier League 2, the Premier League International Cup, the EFL Trophy and the National League Cup, Robson’s side currently have five pre-season fixtures lined up, all against senior opposition.
“It’s a busier schedule than previous years, which is intentional,” Robson explained. “We’ve got a large squad at the moment and want to give everyone opportunities to play and get minutes during this period.
“They’re tough fixtures, games against men, but that’s the next level these boys are striving to reach. These tests are exactly what they need.”
The U21s open their pre-season away to National League South sides Worthing (Saturday 12 July), Ebbsfleet United (Tuesday 15 July) and Maidenhead United (Saturday 19 July), before facing League One side Northampton Town on Tuesday 22 July. A trip to Boreham Wood follows on Friday 25 July.
“I’m really looking forward to working with the group,” Robson added. “It’s fantastic to watch these young players develop, not just in terms of football, but as people too.
“Competitions like the Vertu Trophy and National League Cup will give them great experience. They’ll be coming up against men, and that’s a key part of their journey.
“Ultimately, our goal is always to help players make that step into the first team. We saw Ollie [Scarles] do that last season, and Lewis [Orford] and Kaelan [Casey] were also involved with the senior group. If some of this new group, and those already here, can follow that path, that’s what we’re working towards.”