He may have only made one professional outing as a West Ham player, but Ben Johnson has signed a new contract that keeps the youngster in East London until at least 2022.
In doing so, the defender becomes the latest graduate of the Academy of Football to put pen to paper in recent months, after Declan Rice, Grady Diangana and Nathan Trott all signed new long-term deals with the club.
The 19-year-old, though, has so far only trained with Manuel Pellegrini’s first-team since making his shock Premier League debut away to Manchester City, with Ryan Fredericks and Pablo Zabaleta again alternating responsibilities at right-back.
Giving Johnson a new deal at this stage of the season, and with his limited senior experience to date, could suggest the club are preparing to lose our veteran Argentine when his contract expires, however, and we will be in line to see more of our prospect in the near future, instead.
News of his fresh contract, though, earned a fairly mixed reception on social media…
All for signing youth and that to better contracts but when they deserve it. No put down of Johnson but one appearance and new contract. Rice had to wait nearly two years for his. Seems like we falling back to old times
— WestHamMad (@WestHamMad1) March 20, 2019
Rice 41 & now Johnson 2022 these squad numbers are getting ridiculous. All for parents to spend more money in the shop
— Hayden Evz ⚒ (@HaydenEvz) March 20, 2019
Academy of Football ⚒️ pic.twitter.com/S4nDS0Mdna
— Connor???? (@SpiffingAFK) March 20, 2019
???????????????? well done mate! One of us! #COYI
— JB (@BurchettJason) March 20, 2019
Moses Makasi new contract when
— Bienvenue Kikwit (@BeatTheBatak) March 20, 2019
Get in
— A Pint Of Banter (@apointofbanter) March 20, 2019
Great player
— egy (@egu46037914) March 20, 2019
Unfortunately the future will never be bright all the while @davidgold @karren_brady and the dwarf Sullivan are in charge
— ⚒$t€lla Top $t€v€⚒ (@SteveOJ82) March 20, 2019
Excellent news keep progressing hope more game time next season.
— Michael Oaks (@mikoaks) March 20, 2019