When West Ham allowed young starlet Sonny Perkins to join Leeds United in the summer transfer window, many questioned the decision made. They were right to…
Fresh Start
Perkins joined the Yorkshire outfit on a free transfer and has gone on to star for the clubs under 23 side scoring seven goals in nine appearances and made his senior debut for Leeds in their Carabao Cup tie with Wolves coming on off the bench.
Perkins has also represented England at youth level and has five in his last four appearances for the Young Lions under 19 squad, including a 33- minute hat trick in a 6-0 demolition job of Georgia.
He joins an impressive crop of players in the Leeds youth ranks including strike partner Mateo Joseph with the pair combining for 18 goals in the Premier League 2 this season.
In an interview with the Athletic Leeds United assistant head coach René Marić praised the East London local saying; “In Sonny, we have a player who is very young and extremely talented,” said Marsch’s assistant Rene Maric. “He’s eye-catching because the mixture of his physical posture and his ability on the ball is rare. He hast to iron out some details but we’re very happy with him.”
Perkins joined the Hammers at under 14 level from Leyton Orient’s academy and impressed throughout his time at the club until his departure.
Fan Frustrations
So why was he allowed to leave? Perkins was offered a contract at the end of the season and turned down the prospect of staying at The London Stadium and moved on the pastures new.
The Irons released a statement shortly after disclosing Perkins was leaving the club and shortly after it was announced he was joining Leeds.
Rising East spoke to West Ham fan Callum about Perkins departure. “I was quite disappointed that we weren’t able to keep him at the club. I enjoyed what I saw of him when he got his chance in the first team. Now seeing what he’s doing at Leeds, just makes me more frustrated that we didn’t even get a penny for him.”
The sky really is the limit for Perkins being only 18 years of age, he has a bright future ahead of him and who knows what he’ll go on to achieve.
One thing is for certain though, if he does go on to have an illustrious career, West Ham fans will look back and see an opportunity missed.
