“He’s really taken off since he signed his scholarship this summer. The exciting thing is that there is so much more to come from him. He has established himself well at the U18s as a first-year scholar, and is now in the England camps. The feedback we receive is all positive.

Praising Golambeckis’ character and attitude off the field, Brown added: “Airidas is where he is, not only because of his footballing abilities, but also because of his exemplary attitude. They go hand in hand. To have a future in football, you have to show the Academy’s values, and he displays them every day in the classroom, in the gym, on the field and even outside. He comes from a humble family that is nothing but supportive, and when you put it all together, he has every chance of success.

Everyone at West Ham United would like to congratulate Airidas on signing his first professional contract and wish him every success at Claret and Blue.