Hammers Grab Hat Trick of Awards

Rice tussles with a fellow development squaddie earlier this year

Future Hammers captain (probably) Declan Rice has been named FAI U17 player of the year at the annual awards. Having enjoyed a fantastic season that included becoming captain of the U23/PL2 side even though he is still only 18 years old!

Rice is the talented lynchpin at the heart of the Hammers defence where he plays behind fellow Irishmen, midfielders Conor Coventry and Anthony Scully. He is signed up on a three and a half year deal until the end of 2020.

There were also awards for ex-Hammers Robbie Keane (inducted to the FAI hall of fame) and John Hartson (international personality of the year) as West Ham were involved in three awards overall.

"2017/18 promises to be a big year for the star who looks set to jump ahead of the Reeces in the Yoof pecking order as he pushes for first team squad time.