Premier League side West Ham United have completed the signing of Ipswich Town’s teenage striker Sam Ford, on a contract until June 2017

Ford, 17, has been a prolific scorer for Town’s under-18s side this season, the youngster becoming a schoolboy player with Town during the 2013/14 season, and has scored 25 times in 76 appearances for the club’s under-18s and under-21s.

He became a full academy player with Town in July 2014, signing a two-year scholarship.

“I’m delighted to have signed for West Ham. It’s a huge club and a big step up,” he told the Hammers’ official website.

“West Ham is a massive club. It is a very exciting time with the new stadium, everyone is talking about West Ham, it is definitely something to look forward to and hopefully I’ll be involved playing their one day.

“It’s been a dream of mine to be a professional footballer for as long as I can remember so hopefully I can keep on improving, keep working hard and we’ll see where that gets me.”