English Premier League side West Ham United, have handed a one-year contract extension to budding Ghanaian midfielder Keenan Appiah-Forson.
“West Ham United is pleased to announce that Keenan Appiah-Forson has signed a new contract with the Club until the summer of 2023,” the club announced on Tuesday afternoon.
Appiah-Forson, who made his senior side debut in the Europa League in December, has put pen-to-paper on a new deal with the Club which also includes the option to extend the contract for another year.
The 20-year-old has made 21 appearances in all competitions for West Ham this season, scoring twice, and has featured in all but one of the developmental side’s Premier League 2 Division 1 matches this campaign.
“It means a lot to sign this new deal with West Ham United,” Appiah-Forson told whufc.com. “I feel like I’ve come a long way at this Club over the years and have kept improving during my time here.
“West Ham has given me a lot and it means so much to stay here. Now I just want to keep working hard, keep giving more, and keep progressing.
“Playing for West Ham means a lot to me. I know there is so many people out there who would love to be in my position so I’m not taking it for granted. I want to stay humble and keep in mind how lucky I am, and what I’m doing here at West Ham is amazing. I want to keep going and try to get more opportunities.”
U23s Lead Coach Mark Robson is, however, delighted Appiah-Forson has agreed a new deal with the Club and believes the midfielder’s efforts this campaign have fully merited the new contract.
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 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 U23s 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.
“We’re really pleased he’s signed a new contract with us. We’re pleased for him and we’re pleased for his family as well.”
tenacious and energetic midfielder, Appiah-Forson has been with West Ham United since a successful trial at 14-years-old.
Appiah-Forson made his breakthrough into the West Ham United U18s squad in the 2017/18 campaign, making his debut in a home victory against Reading in October 2018, the first of five appearances at that level while still a schoolboy.
The midfielder became a regular at U18s level in the 2018/19 season. As a first-year scholar, Appiah-Forson would go on to make 17 appearances in the U18s Premier League as well as earning his U23s debut, in a defeat to Everton in October 2018.
Taking his impressive form into the 2019/20 season, Appiah-Forson was rewarded with a call-up to the U23s squad in September 2019 at 17-years-old. He would make a showing at right-back in a phenomenal 5-4 comeback win away to Newport County before starting in defence in a 1-0 win over Valencia ‘B’ just a week later.
Appiah-Forson’s fine form during the curtailed 2019/20 campaign led to him signing his first professional contract in the summer of 2020.
The midfielder would go from strength-to-strength in 2020/21, grabbing his opportunity when it arrived and making 17 starts in 19 games for the U23s, netting three goals and playing a pivotal role in the squad’s survival in Premier League 2 Division 1.
Appiah-Forson has brought his form into the 2021/22 season as the team, under Robson, challenges at the top end of the division, missing just one Premier League 2 match so far this campaign.
The highlight of Forson’s young career so far undoubtedly came in December when he was rewarded for his hard work with his first-team debut, coming on as a late substitute in the 1-0 UEFA Europa League Group H defeat by GNK Dinamo Zagreb at London Stadium on 9 December 2021.
The 20-year-old is hopeful of continuing his fine form throughout the remainder of the campaign and is striving to earn a more regular place in the senior side.
“I’m enjoying playing in this U23s team. Robbo has brought something different to the team and all the boys are great. I get along with everyone in the side and we’re doing well in the league. Hopefully we can keep getting wins and compete for the league title.
“As we head into the end of the season I just want to push on and keep doing what I’m doing. If I can, I want to do even more. The goal is always the first team and I really want those chances, maybe to get on the bench for a few more games.
“I want to play as many minutes as I can with the U23s, stay injury free and keep pushing and getting better.”
Everybody at West Ham United would like to congratulate Keenan on his new contract and wish him every success for his time in Claret and Blue.
