English-born Ghanaian midfielder Gideon Koduah has officially signed a new two-year contract with Premier League side West Ham United.
The FA Youth Cup-winning captain will now return to EFL League One side Wycombe Wanderers for a season-long loan, following a stint with the Buckinghamshire club during the second half of last season.
“It’s a proud moment for me,” Kodua said. “I’ve worked hard for this, and now it’s about proving myself in a first team environment at senior level. I know I can do it.”
A local talent from Custom House, Kodua showed great potential during the U18s’ historic 2022/23 season.
The versatile attacking midfielder, who can also play as a forward, scored eleven league goals in a campaign that saw Kevin Keen’s side top the Premier League South.
As captain, Kodua led West Ham to victory in the FA Youth Cup, scoring crucial goals in the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final, securing the Club’s first FA Youth Cup triumph in 24 years.
Reflecting on his leadership role, Kodua said: “The talent in that team was immense, and being chosen to lead meant the world to me. Especially as someone from east London, captaining West Ham is huge. Leading the lads out, particularly in the final, was an unforgettable experience.”
The 19-year-old is the latest of the FA Youth Cup-winning team to commit his future to West Ham. According to Academy Manager Kenny Brown, extending Kodua’s contract was an easy decision.
“Gideon’s new contract is fully deserved,” Brown stated. “He’s a player you can always rely on to deliver on the pitch. He was a fantastic captain for our U18s, leading by example.”
After his standout season with the U18s, Kodua quickly made his mark at U21 level, excelling in both the Premier League 2 and the Bristol Street Motors Trophy. Just days after scoring in the Hammers’ EFL Trophy round of 16 defeat against Wycombe, Kodua joined the Chairboys for the remainder of the season, making ten appearances.
“With half a season at Wycombe under his belt, the goal now is for him to establish himself and get more game time,” Brown continued.
“The experience he gained travelling with the first team to the US was invaluable. Now, he’ll be gaining even more minutes in the Football League, which he’s more than capable of doing. We’re confident he’ll have a successful season. At West Ham, we want to ensure the right pathways for our best young players, and Gideon is certainly one of them.”
