Key Points
- Finley Hooper began his football journey at age 6 as an outfield player for local team Rayleigh, enjoying casual games with mates.
- He switched to goalkeeper by coincidence at a Southend United player meet-and-greet event, inspired by his favourite player Dan Bentley, now at Wolves.
- During a Southend United try-out session shortly after, Hooper trialled in goal and was scouted for West Ham United less than a year later.
- Joined West Ham Academy at age 8 at Chadwell Heath; now 10 years into his career there, marking a decade of development.
- Signed his first professional contract in September 2025, rewarding his consistency as a scholar.
- Renowned at the Academy of Football for composure with the ball at his feet, despite starting as an outfield player.
- Made an exceptional start to his second scholar season: won first 14 games for U18s and U17s, helping both reach 2025/26 Premier League Cup semi-finals.
- Highlight moment: Saved three penalties in a shootout for U18s against Preston in the FA Youth Cup, advancing to the fourth round.
- On Monday evening (latest match referenced), kept a clean sheet on his competitive U21s debut in a 3-0 win over Crystal Palace, marking West Ham U21s’ sixth home victory and clean sheet of the season.
- Hooper reflects that his 6-year-old self could never have imagined becoming a professional goalkeeper at West Ham United.
- Story positioned as “his West Ham Story so far,” highlighting journey from local roots to academy prominence.
East London (East London Times) February 24, 2026 – Finley Hooper, the young West Ham United Academy goalkeeper, has turned heads with his remarkable journey from a Rayleigh outfield player to a composed shot-stopper earning his first professional contract. Ten years after joining the Hammers at age eight, Hooper’s consistency shone through in September 2025 when he penned his debut pro deal. His second season as a scholar kicked off with a stunning 14-game winning streak across U18s and U17s, propelling both sides to the 2025/26 Premier League Cup semi-finals, capped by penalty heroics in the FA Youth Cup and a clean sheet on U21s debut against Crystal Palace.
Who Is Finley Hooper and How Did His Football Journey Begin?
Finley Hooper’s path to West Ham stardom started far from the spotlight, in the local pitches of Rayleigh. As detailed in his personal “My West Ham Story” feature on the official West Ham United website, Hooper began playing outfield at just six years old.
“This is where it started for me, playing for my local team Rayleigh,” Hooper stated in the piece.
“I played outfield at the time, just enjoying myself with a few of my mates.”
The pivotal shift to goalkeeper came by sheer coincidence. Hooper attended a Southend United player meet-and-greet, eager to meet his idol, Dan Bentley—who now plays for Wolves. Scouts present inquired if he played in goal. Shortly after, at a Southend try-out session, Hooper stepped between the posts.
“I started playing as a goalkeeper out of sheer coincidence. At a Southend United player meet-and-greet, I wanted to meet my favourite player, ‘keeper Dan Bentley, who now plays for Wolves. There were scouts there asking whether I played in goal,”
Hooper recounted.
“Shortly after, at a Southend try-out session, I went in goal and that was it, not even a year later I was scouted for West Ham.”
This early trial proved decisive. Less than 12 months later, West Ham scouts spotted his potential, bringing the eight-year-old to Chadwell Heath. Hooper chose a childhood photo from his Rayleigh days to accompany his story, reflecting on the unimaginable leap.
“I chose this picture because when I look back at it from where I am now, my little brain would never have comprehended the fact I’d be a professional goalkeeper at West Ham United,”
he added.
As reported by the West Ham United official media team in their Academy spotlight series, Hooper’s outfield roots have uniquely shaped his ball-playing ability, making him one of the Academy of Football’s most composed goalkeepers with the ball at his feet.
What Milestones Marked Hooper’s Rise Through West Ham Academy?
A decade at West Ham has been defined by steady progress. In September 2025, Hooper’s unwavering consistency earned him his first professional contract—an outcome, as he notes, beyond his childhood dreams.
The 2025/26 season has elevated him further. Hooper won his first 14 competitive games for the U18s and U17s squads, a streak that guided both age groups to the Premier League Cup semi-finals. This run underscores his reliability under pressure.
One standout moment came in the FA Youth Cup clash against Preston. Hooper’s heroics in the penalty shootout—saving three spot-kicks—sent the U18s into the fourth round. As covered in match reports on the West Ham United site, this performance highlighted his mental fortitude.
His ascent continued on Monday evening with a competitive debut for the U21s. Hooper kept a clean sheet in a commanding 3-0 victory over Crystal Palace, contributing to the young Hammers’ sixth home win and clean sheet of the season. The official West Ham match summary praised the “impressive 3-0 win,” linking directly to Hooper’s debut solidity (whufc.com/en/news/u21s-record-sixth-home-victory-and-clean-sheet-of-the-season-against-palace).
These achievements position Hooper as a cornerstone of West Ham’s youth setup, blending technical skill with match-winning poise.
Why Does Hooper Stand Out as a Goalkeeper at West Ham?
Hooper’s transition from outfield player explains his edge. Starting as a forward or midfielder honed his distribution and composure—traits rare in traditional keepers. At the Academy of Football, he has made a name as one of the most assured with the ball at his feet.
As per the introductory narrative in his “My West Ham Story” on whufc.com,
“Having started his footballing journey as an outfield player, it should come as no surprise that young shot-stopper Finley Hooper has made a name for himself at the Academy of Football as one of the most composed goalkeepers with the ball at his feet.”
This skill set aligns with modern football’s demands for keepers who build attacks from the back. Hooper’s 14-game streak and penalty saves exemplify his all-around game, while the U21s debut clean sheet signals readiness for higher levels.
How Has West Ham Academy Nurtured Hooper’s Talent?
West Ham’s Chadwell Heath base has been Hooper’s home for 10 years. From his scouting at Southend trials to pro contract, the club invested in his growth. The Academy of Football emphasises ball-playing keepers, suiting Hooper perfectly.
His scholar season stats—14 straight wins across age groups—reflect rigorous coaching. Premier League Cup semi-final runs for U18s and U17s show collective success, with Hooper pivotal.
The FA Youth Cup shootout at Preston remains a defining test passed. As noted in West Ham’s youth coverage, such moments build resilience.
What Lies Ahead for Finley Hooper at West Ham?
Hooper’s story is labelled “his West Ham Story so far,” hinting at more chapters. With a pro contract secured and U21s exposure, pathways to first-team training beckon. His composure and winning record position him well amid West Ham’s youth-to-senior pipeline.
Fans and scouts alike watch keenly. The Crystal Palace clean sheet debut teases potential loans or Prem League 2 starts.
Hooper’s journey—from Rayleigh mates to Academy star—inspires. As he reflects, the eight-year-old at Chadwell Heath could scarcely dream this far. Yet here he stands, professional and promising.
