West Ham United midfielder Lewis Orford has signed a new five-year contract.
The 18-year-old’s previous contract expired in June 2015. Orford is a highly-rated prospect and was part of West Ham’s pre-season tour of Florida for games against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Crystal Palace.
In July, Aston Villa rejected West Ham’s £30 million ($38.6 million) bid, as well as Orford’s offer for Aston Villa striker John Duran. The Premier League side had previously attempted to sign Orford in June, but West Ham rejected the proposal.
Orford scored five goals and provided five assists in 29 appearances for the Under-21s last season. The midfielder was part of the 2023 FA Youth Cup-winning squad. Orford made 10 appearances for West Ham last season, four of which were in the Premier League.
The midfielder hopes to impress new manager Julen Lopetegui.
“The goal has always been to play for West Ham,” he said. “I have grown a lot physically recently and I am ready for the first team.”
