West Ham have confirmed the signing of former Town academy striker Sam Ford, following his release by the Blues.

As reported last week, the 17-year-old, who wasn’t offered terms by Town with his scholarship up this summer, impressed the Hammers during recent trial spells when he scored for both their U18s and U21s.

Former Felixstowe Academy pupil Ford has signed a contract until June 2017 with an option for the deal to be extended.

Ford told the Hammers’ official website: “I’m delighted to have signed for West Ham. It’s a huge club and a big step up.

“West Ham is a massive club. It is a very exciting time with the new stadium, everyone is talking about West Ham. It is definitely something to look forward to and hopefully I’ll be involved playing there one day.

“It’s been a dream of mine to be a professional footballer for as long as I can remember so hopefully I can keep on improving, keep working hard and we’ll see where that gets me.”

Town offered professional contracts to six youngsters, James Blanchfield, George Fowler, Monty Patterson, Chris Smith, Shane McLoughlin and Jacob Marsden.

Meanwhile, we understand it's now looking unlikely that Blues right-back or midfielder Kyle Hammond will join Needham Market on loan.

As reported yesterday, the Ryman League Premier Division side are keen to sign the 20-year-old on a short-term basis, however, Hammond is understood to have other clubs in higher divisions interested in signing him.

Photo: Action Images

floridaboy added 16:14 - Mar 1 Obviously the lad has been drawn by the bright lights of east London
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JewellintheTown added 16:15 - Mar 1 I've a bad feeling we've let this one slip through our fingers and will haunt us again in the future. If the Hammers are interested in him, he couldn't have been that bad not to have kept him on.
7

mickeyjb added 16:22 - Mar 1 A massive club and a big step up!!!! His words
2

BlueKush added 16:28 - Mar 1 Hmmm...
1

mr_bean added 16:54 - Mar 1 Relax, people.... If there's one person who knows which academy products to keep on, it's Bryan Klug.
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jas0999 added 17:14 - Mar 1 Indeed it us a big step up. Good luck to the lad.
3

TractorCam added 17:19 - Mar 1 Best of luck Sam, a season ticket holder near me for many years. Big step up!
1

kozmik added 17:31 - Mar 1 Just hold on to Ben Morris!
0

blueboy1981 added 17:31 - Mar 1 mr bean .......... you're certain he had a say in it are you .... ?? ... I wouldn't be so sure of that... !!
5

therein61 added 17:43 - Mar 1 Could be he was not offered a contract due to an attitude problem i.e; he likes to play football and has been snapped up by a club with a tradition for it like we used to be!!!!
9

essexboy added 17:48 - Mar 1 This beggars belief really.Just how can we have a lad at the academy for two years then just let him walk away.Surely if he showed signs of being a good prospect,just why did we not offer him a short contract before his two year spell ran out.I've not seen the lad play so I can only go on what I read,but just why do we have an academy if we can let these lads slip through the net.Just who's fault is it.Kennedy,or MM.Hmmm,I wonder.!!

3

EatonBlue added 18:15 - Mar 1 Sorry to see him go, especially as he is from my old School.
2

cats_whiskers added 18:17 - Mar 1 West Ham are looking Ford Ipswich appear to be going Backwards
8

BanksterDebtSlave added 18:33 - Mar 1 Essex boy, it seems that you've really got it in for the club at the moment.....no chance to moan is missed! We sign 6 youngsters and you concentrate on the one that got away about whom you know nothing.
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Woodbridgian added 18:40 - Mar 1 very true BanksterDebtSlave i'm sure if this lad was an exciting young attacking footballer our manager would of spotted his abilities ..................Oh hold on a minute !!
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BanksterDebtSlave added 18:52 - Mar 1 What like Sears you mean!
2

Woodbridgian added 19:06 - Mar 1 then play him out wide all the time you mean !
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essexboy added 19:32 - Mar 1 Banister,read my post,"I said I had not seen him' my post was just a comment.Dont throw your rattle out of your pram.We all want what is good for the club and we are all allowed to air our views.OK. My gripe is with MM and his style of play.it has nothing to do with the the club who I have supported for over 40 years.So if your happy with what you see then that's your choice.

8

jonbull88 added 19:34 - Mar 1 I can never understand fans moaning about Sears out wide, he adds pace to the wings? Who else would you want there? Tabb?
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essexboy added 19:39 - Mar 1 Woodbridgian,tell me please,then why did West Ham sign him,if we let him go.!!! Not good enough for us but ok to sign for a Premier club.Your tern.!
4

mutters added 19:44 - Mar 1 ...because every player a Premiership club buys always works out..... Irrespective of whether hes a town player or not, he's a Suffolk lad so i wish him well.
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martin587 added 19:46 - Mar 1 Woodbridgian and Banksie,what a stupid load of comments.You clearly have not a clue what goes on,get real please.
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martin587 added 19:47 - Mar 1 Woodbridgian and Banksie,what a stupid load of comments.You clearly have not a clue what goes on,get real please.
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Steelmonkey added 20:04 - Mar 1 Oh no, could be Rhodes all over again.
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Woodbridgian added 20:32 - Mar 1 Essex Boy/ Martin If you actually read my post before commenting you may of noticed the hint of Sarcasm! Maybe to wasted on you.
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