Glentoran’s highly rated Academy prospect Joel Kerr has signed a long-term contract with English Premier League side West Ham United, committing his future to the Hammers until 2028.
Tyrone star set to miss All-Ireland minor final after signing for West Ham
Kerr spoke of this move to the English capital back in May and spoke of his determination to give it his all in a Tyrone shirt before swapping Gaelic football for football:
“I’ll worry about West Ham when it comes to it; I’ll focus on this first. I’ve signed a one-year scholar, two-year pro, so I’ll be there for three years. I want to take a good crack at it. I’ll be in London; I’m going at the start of July.”\
Tyrone/West Ham talks are ongoing
Kerr has signed a three-year deal in east London, and West Ham United’s academy have denied him the chance to win an All-Ireland medal; however, Tyrone minor manager Gerard Donnelly hasn’t given up hope of Kerr featuring in this weekend’s final. According to media outlet Belfast Live, talks are continuing between Tyrone and West Ham officials in a bid to reach some sort of agreement to have him released to face the Kingdom.
Joel Kerr is the man moving across the Irish Sea to link up with the Hammers; he signed a contract with the London club in March and moved from the Northern Irish club Glentoran after joining their academy in 2020. The winger is considered Tyrone’s strongest football talent since Liverpool’s Conor Bradley, who was also an excellent Gaelic footballer with his club, Aghyaran St Davog’s.
Kerry has represented Northern Ireland at underage level and even played against his new club when a County Tyrone team played a West Ham development side. He impressed that day, bagging himself a brace and an assist.
Kerr spoke of this move to the English capital back in May and spoke of his determination to give it his all in a Tyrone shirt before swapping Gaelic football for football:
“I’ll worry about West Ham when it comes to it; I’ll focus on this first. I’ve signed a one-year scholar, two-year pro, so I’ll be there for three years. I want to take a good crack at it. I’ll be in London; I’m going at the start of July.”
Tyrone/West Ham talks are ongoing
Kerr has signed a three-year deal in east London, and West Ham United’s academy have denied him the chance to win an All-Ireland medal; however, Tyrone minor manager Gerard Donnelly hasn’t given up hope of Kerr featuring in this weekend’s final. According to media outlet Belfast Live, talks are continuing between Tyrone and West Ham officials in a bid to reach some sort of agreement to have him released to face the Kingdom.
Crucial to Tyrone’s championship
The Red Hands will be desperate to have the 16-year old in their squad for underage Gaelic football’s biggest game. He has been instrumental to Tyrone’s All-Ireland ambitions; he was Man of the Match in Tyrone’s Ulster minor final triumph over Cavan back in May. The Rock St Patrick’s clubman scored a goal in the final, finishing with 1-2, before scoring a goal in the All-Ireland minor semi-final against Roscommon.
