Second-year scholar Albert Eames has officially put pen to paper on his first professional contract with the Hornets, signing a three-year deal with the club.
Eames, a right-back, has been a key player in both the Under-18s and Under-21s this season and has recently made the move to the first team, featuring in the matchday squad for the trip to Birmingham City.
On the deal, Eames said: “I’m absolutely delighted. I think every boy works up to this moment since you start playing football so to be here from Under-8s up to now, it’s been a good journey. Hopefully now I can push on even more and see what happens in the future.”
Tom Cleverley, formerly the coach of Eames at Under-18 level and now Head Coach of the first team, was keen to progress the youngster into full training and has been a huge help as Eames makes the latest step-up in his career.
“It’s been a very smooth transition, obviously with Clevs [Tom Cleverley] and Damo [Damon Lathrope] being coaches of mine in the past,” Eames said.
“All the boys have given me a very warm welcome, so it’s been very nice.”
Since joining the club’s Academy 10 years ago, Eames has enjoyed his time despite facing a period in which he was released.
Of his experiences, he said: “I joined at Under-8s and had a smooth running up until Under-14.
“Then I got released, but due to COVID I was given a six-week extension period where I came back with Armand [Kavaja] who was my Under-15 coach, and I got re-signed.
“Then I was offered my scholarship as an Under-16 all the way up to signing my first professional contract now.”
Fellow academy graduates Ryan Andrews and James Morris kicked on from their first pro deals and Eames is hoping to replicate their success.
“They’re very good players and players that I look up to,” he said. “I want to keep pushing and see what happens.”
Many family members were present to witness the 18-year old’s special day, on which he said: “I can’t thank them enough really. All the journeys they’ve put in, all the dedication and hard work, I wouldn’t be here without them.”
As a full-back, Eames understands the basics of his role. “Ultimately, I’m a defender and I’d like to think I’m good one-on-one,” he said.
“When I was younger I always looked up to Sergio Ramos, especially with his leadership qualities.”
With the game ever-growing and the rapidly changing expectations of players in his position to impact the game going forward, Eames continues to transform his playing style, and is now looking to emulate the likes of Ben White and Kieran Trippier.
“I would say I’m a modern-day full-back,” he said. “I like to get up and down the pitch, drive with the ball when I can and also find passes to break lines.”
This transformation has been aided further by his involvement in the first team, and his inclusion on the bench in Cleverley's first match in charge away to Birmingham City.
It was an experience he learned a lot from, with Eames saying: “You’re playing against a lot bigger crowds compared to at youth level.
“In the first team there’s a lot more on the line, the Academy is more about developing with your football while for the first team it’s all about getting those wins under your belt.”
As for the future, signing his first professional contract only makes him hungrier for more. “It’s a proud moment for me and for my family but ultimately now I have to keep pushing on to many more good experiences to come,” he added.
There’s just one milestone still to conquer for the youngster with a first team debut on the horizon. “I’m buzzing. I can’t wait really,” he said.
“Hopefully it comes soon. Like I say, I’ll keep pushing on the training pitch and see what happens.”
