Gordon settling in nicely

Jaanai Gordon is settling in well to life at West Ham United after completing his switch from Peterborough United on New Year's Day.

The 18-year-old has only been at the Club for just over a week but has already been included in the first-team squad for the FA Cup with Budweiser third round defeat at Nottingham Forest, where he was named among the substitutes.

While he was not called upon in the game against Forest, the striker revealed to West Ham TV that he enjoyed the experience and has adapted quickly to life with the Hammers.

He said: "I've settled in great and the lads have been great with me and helped me settle in really quickly.

"It was a great experience (being on the substitutes' bench), very good. The first-team environment is somewhere that I want to be all the time."

Gordon was already familiar with his new surroundings after he spent some time on trial with the Hammers earlier this season.

During his spell at the Club he made a big impression, scoring twice for the Under-18s against Aston Villa, netting a brace in the first-team's 9-0 friendly win over Gillingham and bagging a goal against Millwall in another behind-closed-doors encounter.

Now a West Ham player on a full-time basis, Gordon is looking forward to forging a good career for himself in east London and showing the fans exactly what he is about.

"The first-team lads are great, I've spoken to a few of them already and I've only just got into the building so hopefully they can help me build my career at the Club.

"My trial period made it easier for me to be accepted to come here and play. I thought I did quite well while on trial here, scoring five goals in three games so I did well."

And for fans who don't know the sort of player he is, Gordon said: "I'd say I'm an all-round type of player. I can get in behind, hold it up and score goals."

The forward is likely to appear for the Development Squad this Friday night when they take on West Bromwich Albion at Rush Green in the Barclays U21 Premier League.

Nick Haycock's team are currently second in the table and Gordon revealed the Club's strong youth section was another factor in his decision to sign for West Ham.

"I just want to start scoring goals. I saw when I came here on trial that the Under-21s were top of their league so it helped me to think that coming here was the right choice so hopefully I can help them sustain it.

"That was one of the main reasons why I came here, seeing the progress of the young players through into the first team."

Gordon is hopeful that if he scores regularly for the U21s then bigger things will follow.

"I just want to keep doing what I'm doing, keep scoring goals for the Under-21s and hopefully I can break into the first team."

Supporters can watch the Development Squad play West Bromwich Albion on Friday night. Kick-off at Rush Green Stadium is at 7pm, with FREE entry for Season Ticket Holders. Other supporters can gain admission for just £3 Adults and £1 Concessions.