DAYS AFTER MAKING his Premier League debut, Ireland underage international Josh Cullen has signed a long-term contract at West Ham United.
The 19-year-old came off the bench during the Hammers’ 3-0 win at Anfield on Saturday and has today put pen to paper on a deal which will see him stay at Upton Park until 2018.
Cullen, who was born in Southend-on-Sea and represented England at U16 level, won the West Ham academy player of the season award in 2013-14 and then made his first-team debut in the Europa League in July.
“I’m delighted to get the deal done and extend my time at West Ham,” he told the club’s website. “I’m over the moon to get another couple of years and I’m looking forward to the Club moving forward and hopefully progressing to the first team.
“The last couple of months have all gone quite quickly and I’ve had to take step back to take it all in. Obviously playing in the Europa League was a great experience, playing in front of a packed Upton Park was a special moment.
“Then going on at Anfield [for my Premier League debut] on Saturday was another moment that I’ll remember for the rest of my life.
“The whole of the last couple of months have been fantastic and I just hope that it can continue.
Cullen will join up with the Ireland U21 squad for the first time this week having played for the Boys in Green at U19 level. He made his first appearance for Ireland against Netherlands in September 2014.
The teenager enjoyed a breakthrough year last season when he starred for the Hammers’ Development squad and was included in the first-team squad on several occasions.
He eventually got his opportunity in the Europa League qualifying tie against FC Lusitans before starting in Romania in the next round.
