Stoke City swoop for West Ham trialist after star turn in front of Mark Robins and Jon Walters
Stoke City have sealed a deal for exciting winger Favour Fawunmi after a brilliant game on trial for the under-21s this week.
The 18-year-old is a free agent after coming to the end of his contract at West Ham and there has been plenty of competition for his signature at home and abroad. The London press reported that he turned down a deal to stay at West Ham until 2026 with an option of a further year.
Stoke invited him to play in a trial on Tuesday at Clayton Wood against Huddersfield Town B in the Central League and he could hardly have done better in front of first team manager Mark Robins and sporting director Jon Walters. He produced an electric performance, scored twice in a 4-2 win and was offered a deal pretty much on the spot at full-time. He has signed a two-and-a-half year contract.
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He had joined West Ham in their under-15s and scored 10 times in the side that won the FA Youth Cup under Kevin Keen in 2022/23, including a sub appearance in a hugely impressive fifth round victory at Stoke. Potential stars were picked out from that team, including George Earthy, who is currently on loan at Bristol City; Lewis Orford, who made his first team debut for West Ham last month, and striker Divin Mubama, who was snaffled by Manchester City, scoring on his senior debut for them in January.
West Ham released a statement thanking Fawunmi for his "commitment and dedication" and wishing him well for the future when they confirmed his departure yesterday.
Fawunmi completes a hat-trick of deals for late teenagers that Stoke have confirmed since deadline day.
Midfielder Ruben Curley, aged 19, has joined from Manchester United in hope that he can soon be bridging the gap from the under-21s to first team. Forward Adriel Walker, also 19, has joined from West Bromwich Albion.
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