West Ham United youngster, Reece Burke has signed a new four-year deal with the Hammers.

Delighted at the new deal

The 19-year-old initially broke into the Hammers' first-team back in 2014, earning the Young Hammer of the Year back in the 2014/15 season.

Burke's loan deal at Bradford City last year is where the defender really impressed, earning several accolades in the post-season award ceremony.

The defender has been handed opportunities by Slaven Bilic at the beginning of the season, playing against Juventus and in the 1-1 draw with Astra Giurgiu, and Burke shared his delight at the new deal.

“Obviously as a West Ham fan as well as a player, it’s fantastic to be involved with the Club during this period,” Burke told whufc.com.

He admitted, “It’s still sinking in to be honest, the move and the changes here. Over time, I really believe everything will settle in, and it will feel like home very, very soon." 

Reece Burke in action for Bradford City on loan last season | Photo: Sky Sports
Reece Burke in action for Bradford City on loan last season | Photo: Sky Sports

Building on experience

The impact of the defender's talents were well documented at Valley Parade last season, and Burke admitted that another loan move could be a possibility.

“This season for me, another loan move may happen for me,” he revealed to the club's official website.

He added,“I think I’m going to try and do Championship – the next step – and see how the season goes hopefully playing Championship football and I’ll hopefully get another load of games under my belt."

The 19-year-old concluded: “I want to build on that experience and come back next year even better, just similarly building like I did last season."

He remained hopeful, "I could have a similarly positive season this year in the Championship.”

West Ham United will take on Astra Giurgiu in the second-leg of their Europa League play-off at the London Stadium on Thursday, August 25 with kick-off at 7:45pm BST.

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About the author
Danial  Kennedy
Award-winning sports journalism graduate. Currently studying a PR Masters at the University of Sunderland. Writing for VAVEL since August 2014. Twitter - @ddkjournalism.