Lewis Orford (footballer) explained

Lewis Orford
Birth Date:18 February 2006
Position:Midfielder
Currentclub:West Ham United U21
Youthyears1:2011–2023
Youthclubs1:West Ham United
Years1:2023-
Clubs1:West Ham United
Caps1:0
Goals1:0
Nationalyears1:2022
Nationalteam1:England U16
Nationalcaps1:2
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalyears2:2023-
Nationalteam2:England U18
Nationalcaps2:8
Nationalgoals2:0
Club-Update:29 November 2023 00:15 (UTC)
Ntupdate:12:04, 28 May 2024 (UTC)

Lewis Orford (born 18 February 2006) is an English footballer who plays as a midfielder for club West Ham United. He is an England youth international.[1]

Club career

Orford joined the academy system at West Ham United at five years old. He worked through the age groups and began playing for the U18s under Kevin Keen during the 2021-22 season. He signed Scholarship terms with West Ham in June 2022.[2] Orford signed his first professional contract with West Ham shortly after his seventeenth birthday in February 2023.[3]

He was included in a West Ham first team match day squad for the first time in November 2022, being an unused substitute as West Ham beat FCSB 3-0 in the UEFA Europa Conference League. That season he was part of the West Ham U18 side that won the final of the FA Youth Cup defeating Arsenal 5–1 at the Emirates Stadium in April 2023.[4] [5]

He was promoted to the West Ham U21 side for the 2023-24 season, despite still being only 17 years old. He scored two goals and was credited four assists from his first ten games in the Premier League 2 and EFL Trophy. He was called up to first-team training in November 2023.[6] He subsequently travelled with the first-team squad for a UEFA Europa League fixture against Serbian side FK TSC on 30 November 2023.[7]

International career

In May 2024, he was called-up to the England national under-18 football team.[8] After winning the U18 Pinatar Super Cup in March 2024, Orford went on to captain the side to another trophy with a 2-1 win over Morocco to lift the U18 Tri-Nations Trophy.[9]

Style of play

Orford has been compared with former Republic of Ireland international footballer, and current England International Declan Rice.[10] He was named by English newspaper The Guardian as one of the best first-year scholars in the Premier League in September 2022 with John Brewin drawing a comparison with Frank Lampard “in his ability to arrive late on the scene for scoring opportunities.”[11]

Personal life

His father Mark Orford is a systems support engineer from Upminster. Lewis played for Upminster Park Rovers prior to signing with West Ham Juniors.[12]

Career statistics

[13]

Appearances and goals by club, season, and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupEuropeOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
West Ham United2022–23Premier League000000001010
2023–24000000005151
Career total000000006161

Honours

West Ham United U18

2022–23[14]

2023[15]

England U18s

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Lewis Orford. Soccerway. 9 August 2023.
  2. Web site: The Long Read: Lewis Orford. whufc. 9 August 2023. 21 February 2023.
  3. Web site: 'A proud moment' - Lewis Orford's first words after signing first professional West Ham contract. football.london. 9 August 2023. 23 February 2023. Michael. Mutch.
  4. Web site: West Ham thrash Arsenal to win FA Youth Cup . BBC Sport . 25 April 2023 . 15 May 2023.
  5. Web site: Meet West Ham’s youngsters taking the club to a first FA Youth Cup final in 24 years. The Athletic. 30 November 2023. Roshane. Thomas. April 7, 2023.
  6. Web site: tbrfootball. David Moyes calls up ‘impressive’ 17-year-old to West Ham training. 30 November 2023. Giuseppe. Labellarte. 22 November 2023.
  7. Web site: TSK VS. WEST HAM. Soccerway. 30 November 2023. 30 November 2023.
  8. Web site: England MU18s squad named for SGP games. 20 May 2024 . Nicholas . Veevers. England Football.
  9. Web site: West Ham United. 30 May 2024. 29 May 2024. Orford captains England MU18s to Tri-Nations Trophy glory.
  10. Web site: BBC Sport. 9 August 2023. 9 August 2023. West Ham midfielder Lewis Orford on Declan Rice & his academy journey.
  11. Web site: The Guardian. 19 November 2023. 10 October 2023. John. Brewin. Next Generation 2022: 20 of the best talents at Premier League clubs.
  12. Web site: Watch the moment an eight-year-old Essex lad scores wonder free kick... against Barcelona. Evening Standard. 30 November 2023. Benedict. Moore-Bridger. 12 June 2014.
  13. Web site: England - L. Orford - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway . 2024-02-05 . uk.soccerway.com.
  14. Web site: West Ham United outgun Arsenal to win 2023 FA Youth Cup | West Ham United F.C.. www.whufc.com. |date=25 April 2023|accessdate=30 May 2024
  15. Web site: West Ham United - U18 Premier League South champions!. West Ham United F.C.. 15 April 2023. 30 May 2024.
  16. Web site: Report: England MU18s 2-1 Netherlands. 26 March 2024 . EnglandFootball.com.
  17. Web site: England Football. 30 May 2024. 29 May 2024. Report: England MU18s 2-1 Morocco.