Sonny Perkins

[Cjay]

According to Fabrizio Romano a deal is done on a free transfer (compensation will be due because of his age) for talented former West Ham midfielder come striker Sonny Perkins.

The attacker scored 12 goals for West Ham's Premier League 2 runners up side last season and broke in to the first team despite only being 17 at the time.

He made his first team debut in the Europa Leagu last season.

His departure from West Ham was a bitter one with the club lashing out at the teenagers representatives and making accusations of tapping up (which happens all the time time anyway and everyone knows it).

https://www.whufc.com/news/sonny-perkin ... ham-united

A respected West Ham source who goes by the twitter name ExWHUemployee and has over 100k followers said this about Perkins in October.

“This is someone I’ve spoken about on the podcast before as a talent, and he’s really beginning to stand out now at academy level, really getting rave reviews. Obviously performing on the international stage as well for his age, and he is one to keep an eye on.

“From what I’ve heard in the academy circles, he could be the next Declan Rice. So just keep your eye out for his progression within the next few years.”

West Ham forum thread on him below.
https://www.kumb.com/forum/viewtopic.ph ... 9be746e141

[Scoobychief]

So is this for the under 21 or 23? Can't be first team signing can it?

[lufc1304]

One for the future, which is fine, but we need a striker now.

[Victor_OTT_17]

He's a player for sure! Seems to have it all: quick feet, skill, dribbling, finishing (can he head a ball). Beef this boy up and he'll be a first teamer in 18 months...

[weasel]

His departure from West Ham was a bitter one with the club lashing out at the teenagers representatives and making accusations of tapping up (which happens all the time time anyway and everyone knows it).

Yeah don't know if anyone noticed but I have a feeling Barca may have told Raphinha they wanted him to sign for him.

[weasel]

So is this for the under 21 or 23? Can't be first team signing can it?

Would be guessing similar to Dark signed with the expectation of pushing for a starting place by the endof the season. A good way to do something in that at present they will have 'the old guard' in front of them in terms of immediate first team back up but by the end of the season if the young guns have developed enough they are in front of them. Would expect by the end of the season the likes of Forshaw and Klich to then be behind them in the pecking order.

[Scoobychief]

One for the future, which is fine, but we need a striker now.

It will be here next week

[1964white]

Potential to become another Joffy

[andrewjohnsmith]

Would be guessing similar to Dark signed with the expectation of pushing for a starting place by the endof the season. A good way to do something in that at present they will have 'the old guard' in front of them in terms of immediate first team back up but by the end of the season if the young guns have developed enough they are in front of them. Would expect by the end of the season the likes of Forshaw and Klich to then be behind them in the pecking order.

Given the faith Marsch is putting in Darko and Gray, he could well be a first team fringe player this season. Trsnfermarkt lists his first postion as Center Forward with Secondary Positions of Left Winger and 2nd Striker. He's left footed. He's made 10 England youth appearances and scored 5 goals (sounds like a striker ratio). For WHU youths he's played 49 games - 19 goals - 5 assists.

That seems like he fills a couple of holes in back up for the first team. Obviously he'll go into the 21's. But I see him being another that will be around the 1st team squad immediately.

[andrewjohnsmith]

From Leeds Live:

As someone who worked very closely with Perkins in the West Ham academy, Carlton Cole had nothing but good things to say about the youngster following his debut for the club in the Europa League. The former Hammers frontman was speaking as part of BT Sport’s panel covering the match.

“Everyone’s played him in different positions, they’ve played him left-back, centre midfield, centre half, attacking midfield but he’s such a good footballer that we didn’t know where to put him. The only place they didn’t put him was up front so this season with a few injuries in the U23s, he’s gone up front and he’s just started scoring goals, no one knew!”

[Lumiukko]

From Leeds Live:

As someone who worked very closely with Perkins in the West Ham academy, Carlton Cole had nothing but good things to say about the youngster following his debut for the club in the Europa League. The former Hammers frontman was speaking as part of BT Sport’s panel covering the match.

“Everyone’s played him in different positions, they’ve played him left-back, centre midfield, centre half, attacking midfield but he’s such a good footballer that we didn’t know where to put him. The only place they didn’t put him was up front so this season with a few injuries in the U23s, he’s gone up front and he’s just started scoring goals, no one knew!”

Sounds like a young Dion Dublin. Can play him anywhere.

Watching the highlights reel he does appear to have a natural ability above his age-groups so could be an exciting signing to spearhead our youth team with minutes around the first team too. Looks to be a no-brainer with only compensation to pay out for his signing.

[andrewjohnsmith]

Makes you wonder if Perkins will lower the urgency to sign a top striker. We've only been playing one striker in preseason. Bamford, Gelhardt, and Rodrigo are options. If we play the 4-2-2-2, James and Greenwood could fill the 2nd striker role too.

Phil Hay said last week that Leeds wouldn't want to sign someone who would slow Gelhardt's development. Although he was saying that we were still working towards CDK.

But, now Perkins, looks like he'll be hanging around the first team squad just like Gray and Gyabi.

[SG90]

His departure from West Ham was a bitter one with the club lashing out at the teenagers representatives and making accusations of tapping up (which happens all the time time anyway and everyone knows it).

And West Ham poached him from Leyton Orient, so swings and roundabouts.

[Overman]

If he had that much potential then West Ham wouldn't be letting him go. I just hope he doesn't fizzle out into obscurity in the under 23's, a bit like Poveda.

[John in Louisiana]

Fabrizio Romano reporting it’s a done deal.

[danhirons]

If he had that much potential then West Ham wouldn't be letting him go. I just hope he doesn't fizzle out into obscurity in the under 23's, a bit like Poveda.

they didn't let him go, he turned down their contract offer and so was free to move (but we will have to pay compensation)

[mentalcase]

If he had that much potential then West Ham wouldn't be letting him go. I just hope he doesn't fizzle out into obscurity in the under 23's, a bit like Poveda.

Same with Lewis Bate, seems odd, maybe good for U23's, then see what happens.

[Cjay]

3.year deal.

Will join the u21s.

But odd given he left West Ham to further his career and has effectively gone from edges of there 1st team to our u21s.

But anyway

Welcome Sonny

[Lumiukko]

3.year deal.

Will join the u21s.

But odd given he left West Ham to further his career and has effectively gone from edges of there 1st team to our u21s.

But anyway

Welcome Sonny

As you say Cjay, a bit strange for sure, though I am sure he's on much superior wages after joining Leeds. But, that could also be a red flag if he is putting money solely ahead of his career. Then again, Gyabi, we were told was primarily for the youth ranks and to me looks like he will spend a lot of time warming the first team bench this season, so perhaps the same for Sonny. Marsch isn't afraid to use youth if he thinks they're good enough, so perhaps after training with the first team he will also be doing a Gyabi before not too long.

[1964white]

Welcome Sonny Perkins.

Great name, not such a great player..........yet!