BBC Sport reports that Brayden Johnson, a West Ham United prospect, has signed his first professional contract with Middlesbrough.
According to a January 23 report, the Hammers were among numerous clubs interested in signing the 18-year-old midfielder from Eastbourne Borough, a non-league club.
Johnson, who made 22 appearances in the centre of the park for Eastbourne this season and starred in the National League South, will now join Boro’s Under-21s.
Johnson has joined Michael Carrick’s non-league side after being linked with Ipswich Town and QPR, according to the club’s website (January 23).
Graham Potter’s team plans to add new players before the February 3 deadline.
West Ham miss out on midfield prospect
West Ham will be upset not to be able to add Johnson to their Under-21 squad, which currently sits ninth in the expanded Premier League 2 tournament with 26 teams.
The Irons were unlikely to give the combative midfielder much senior game time this season, but he would have been an interesting addition to Rush Green’s academy.
The transfer window, however, might define Potter’s team’s fate for the rest of the season, with reinforcements desperately needed due to injuries and a lack of form.
This season, some summer additions have flattered to deceive, and the Irons are busy with enquiries for a number of players while adhering to the PSR.
Tim Steidten led the recruitment charge in the summer as the board spent over £100 million to bolster the squad, but the technical director is now on his way out of the London Stadium (David Ornstein, 24 January). David Sullivan had previously degraded the German’s job.
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