West Ham United have announced the signing Coleraine midfielder Patrick Kelly.

Kelly joins the Hammers on a three-year professional contract until June 2025, and will initially link up with Mark Robson's development squad at Chadwell Heath.

The 17-year-old becomes the third Northern Ireland U19 international to join West Ham United's Academy in the past two years, following compatriots Michael Forbes and Callum Marshall in switching to east London.

“I'm delighted to join West Ham," Kelly told whufc.com. “This is a great opportunity for me. I've worked hard over the last couple of years, and I think West Ham is a good club for me to come into and continue my development, do well and hopefully have a good career in the game.

“The names that have come through the Academy of Football and gotten chances are well known, so there is definitely a pathway here. It's on the players to show they have what it takes, so I'm excited for that chance."

The teenage playmaker signed his deal at the Rush Green Training Ground, where he was welcomed to the Hammers and by recently-retired Mark Noble, who was himself receiving treatment for a five-a-side football injury!

Academy Manager Ricky Martin also welcomed Kelly to the Club.

Martin said: “It is a pleasure to welcome Patrick to the West Ham United Academy, and we are delighted he has chosen to continue his development with us.

“Patrick has shown true ability and a lot of potential over the past season with Coleraine and we are excited to have him as a part of the West Ham family. We hope he will enjoy a very successful career with the Club."