17-Year-Old Odubeko Targets More First Team Action For West Ham After Non-Competitive Debut

Nigerian striker Mipo Odubeko has targeted more first team action for West Ham after making his non-competitive debut for the Hammers last week.

The former Manchester United schoolboy came off the bench for the final ten minutes as West Ham thrashed Ipswich Town 4-1 at at Portman Road.

The 17-year-old Odubeko is hoping his appearance against the Tractor Boys is the first step to achieving his goal of breaking into the first team in the not too distant future.

Last season, he proved his goalscoring credentials by finding the net ten times in nine appearances combined in the U18 Premier League, Premier League 2 and FA Youth Cup.

"It’s something I’ve worked for my whole life. It was just great to get on the pitch and experience what it’s like to play senior team football," Odubeko said to West Ham's official webpage.

"I’ve been involved with the Under-23s and the first team from the start, so it’s a confidence boost for me to go again this season."

The powerful center forward opened his pre-season account for West Ham U23s in style by bagging a brace in a 5-0 rout of Queens Park Rangers on Tuesday.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel