Kearns signs pro Hammers contract

Teenage winger Daniel Kearns has expressed his delight after signing a one-year professional contract with West Ham United.

The 17-year-old was offered the terms at the end of last season, but has only recently been able to put pen-to-paper after returning from his native Northern Ireland.

Kearns follows Matt Fry, Tony Brookes, Oliver Lee and Anthony Edgar in recently progressing from the Hammers Academy to earn professional status with Gianfranco Zola's side.

He is now pleased to have the deal completed, telling West Ham's official website: "I'm absolutely delighted.

"All the other boys signed their contracts while I was still away so I'm pleased to have got it done and dusted.

"The main aim for the season is to get another contract at the end of it. I'm hoping to get a regular spot in the reserves and maybe try and go out on loan during the season.

"And from there, I hope to push on and get into the first team. You never what's going to happen."