West Ham United is delighted to announce that striker Josh Landers has signed a new contract with the Club until the summer of 2028.
The Scottish youth international joined our young Hammers from Scottish Premiership side Hibernian in January, immediately making an impact as a goalscorer by reaching double figures for the U18s and helping the side lift the Premier League Cup.
After stepping up to the U21s development squad over the summer, the 18-year-old has already hit double figures for Club and country this season.
“It’s great, it’s what you want,” he said after putting pen to paper on his new contract. “That was the goal when I came in January, to start well and then hopefully, within a year or so, earn a new deal.
“I’m buzzing. This is what you dream of, isn’t it? To come down, settle in quickly and then be offered something new so soon. It’s been the ideal start to life at West Ham.”
Landers netted a brace for our U21s in his first start in Premier League 2, a 4-2 victory over Sunderland. His performances in the development side this season earned him a call-up to Scotland U19s, where he scored five goals in three September internationals.
After picking up a minor hamstring injury while away with Scotland, he marked his return to Club action with a 25-minute hat-trick against Brighton & Hove Albion.
Speaking on the step-up to U21s and facing senior opponents in the Vertu Trophy and National League Cup, Landers continued: “It’s been both a physical and tactical test. Everything’s quicker, you’ve got to be sharper, more clever, cleaner with everything you do.
“I’m really enjoying it so far this season. Scoring goals obviously helps and we’ve got a good group. I also like that the Under-21s calendar has more fixtures, with games on Tuesdays and Fridays. That’s what you want!”
Looking ahead, Landers hopes the next three years will bring more goals and more chances to impress the first-team staff.
“Everybody’s dream is to play in the Premier League; that’s the main goal. In the short term, I just want to keep scoring and working hard. If I keep doing that, the opportunities should come, and when they do, you’ve got to take them.
“With a new manager in, everyone’s trying to impress and show what they can do. In football, you don’t get many chances, so you’ve got to make them count.”
Since his arrival, Academy Manager Kenny Brown has been impressed with how quickly the young Scotsman has adapted to life in east London — and, crucially, how regularly he’s found the net for both the U18s and U21s.
“When you bring such a young player in, they don’t usually hit the ground running,” he said. “But Josh has been scoring goals from day one and has been a real threat throughout.
“He’s got a strong presence, and centre-forwards like him are hard to find. He knows where the goal is, and his work ethic is outstanding, anyone who’s watched him play can see that.
“It’s infectious having someone like that in your team. He never gives in, chases everything and, at the end of the day, he’s a striker, he wants to score goals. That’s what he’ll be judged on, and he’s doing exactly that.
“He’s still young and has a lot to develop, but knowing he’ll be doing that here over the next three years is really pleasing.”
Everyone at West Ham United would like to congratulate Josh on signing his first professional contract and wish him every success in Claret and Blue.
