ALFIE Lewis has signed his first professional contract with West Ham United.

The former Belfairs Academy pupil has penned a three-year deal with the club, which will see him remain at the London Stadium until the summer of 2020.

The midfielder, 17, was delighted to sign professional terms with the Premier League club.

Lewis said: “It’s great news. This is the contract you always want when you first join the club. I’ve done my scholarship and now I’m on my pro deal, so I’m looking forward to it.

“Hard works pays off, like they say. Over the years, training and playing games – it’s great now I have got this deal but I can’t sit back on it – I need to keep pushing on.

“It’s been a great season for me [this year]. The youth teams have been doing well, the under-23s were promoted last week and it’s been a good season. I’ve had a few under-23s games and a lot for the under-18s.”

Lewis, who joined the Hammers at the age of eight, impressed for the academy side last season, while also featuring 11 times for the under-23s.

The hot prospect was involved in the under-23s’ Checkatrade Trophy campaign, making appearances against Football League sides Coventry City, Wycombe Wanderers and Northampton Town.

And Lewis thinks those outings against professional clubs will help him to develop in the future.

The Leigh-born central midfielder added: “I’ve learnt about the physicality and the quickness of the football for the under-23s, especially against the Football League teams [in the Checkatrade Trophy], and it’s been a great experience for me.

“The games in that competition have probably been the best ones this year.

“Playing against the guys at the back in those teams, it’s different to what you’re used to in the under-23s, so it was a great experience for us.”

While Lewis worked under the guidance of under-18s coaches Mark Phillips and former Hammer of the Year Steve Potts, along with academy director Terry Westley and tutor Liam Manning, he can expect to interact with Hammers boss Slaven Bilic on a more regular basis.

And the teenager is hoping to follow in the footsteps of past West Ham stars who have come through the Academy of Football.

Lewis confirmed: “It’s really important to know that the club want to push the players through from the academy, and you know that you’ve got a chance if you keep doing things right.

“Hopefully I can follow in their footsteps. Players out on loan this season have done really well, and I’ve watched a few of their games. The leagues that they’re playing in are not easy, so it’s great.

“Hopefully next year I’ll push on and play more games for the under-23s and train with the first team even more as well.”