West Ham: Keenan Appiah-Forson signs new deal | OneFootball

West Ham United have confirmed the contract extension of Keenan Appiah-Forson.

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In a recent post on the West Ham website, the club revealed that the defensive midfielder, who has been at the club from the age of 14, has put pen to paper on a new deal which runs until the summer of 2023 – with the Hammers holding the option of a further year.

Speaking about the 20-year-old’s new contract, the Irons U23s lead coach Mark Robson said: “Keenan is fully deserving of this new deal. Since I’ve come in, he has been excellent. His energy levels are unbelievable and every single day, I’m amazed by how he just keeps going.

“He’s a real pleasure to work with. I can honestly say, in the few months that I’ve been here, there’s been some real improvement in him and in his game. He’s a really good lad who gives everything he’s got in every game and every training session.

“His work ethic, I have to say, is as good as anybody I’ve seen in this league at U23 level. He has a real desire to work hard, and he is a shining example for any young player at this level. All the lads and all the staff love him and we’re all really hopeful that he keeps on progressing. He comes into training with a smile every single day and he’s a pleasure to work with.”

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Moyes can save millions with Appiah-Forson

Despite his diminutive stature – standing at just 5’9 tall – Appiah-Forson is a tough-tackling, highly-energetic and defensively-minded midfielder, although, he has also proven that he is more than capable of chipping in for his side in both an attacking and creative capacity, too.

Indeed, over his 17 Premier League 2 appearances for Robson’s U23 side so far this season, the £270k-rated youngster has scored one goal and registered two assists, as well as bagging a further goal over his three appearances in the Papa John’s Trophy.

As such, considering his style of play, it is easy to see why Terry Westley drew comparisons between the 20-year-old and Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante, as well as why the former West Ham academy manager stated his belief that Appiah-Forson could be the next big thing to come through the Hammers’ academy, with Westley stating of the academy prospect:

“Keenan’s small but he’s such a tough boy. He’s similar to N’Golo Kante in terms of his work ethic because he’s so difficult to mark. Keenan has a lot of potential and it’s great that young players are getting an opportunity at West Ham under David Moyes. Keenan could be next.”

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How many Premier League goals did West Ham United score in the 2020/21 Premier League season?

57 62 67 72

And, with club legend Mark Noble retiring at the end of the current campaign, Alex Kral having so far failed to impress during his season-long loan spell at the London Stadium and Declan Rice being linked with a big-money move away from East London, it would appear extremely likely that David Moyes will be in need of central midfield reinforcements this summer.

However, before splashing the cash on an established option in the middle of the park, perhaps it would be wise for the 58-year-old manager to take a closer look at Appiah-Forson over the remainder of the season, as, should the 20-year-old prove that he is ready for a more regular spot in the Hammers first-team, he would not only save the club millions of pounds in transfer fees, but he could very well go on to become Noble’s heir in central midfield.