West Ham academy graduate Freddie Potts has signed a new long-term contract, seeing him commit to the club until at least 2029.
Potts is currently enjoying regular game time on loan at Championship side Portsmouth, with the midfielder playing 30 games for Pompey this campaign.
The 21-year-old has strong ties to West Ham, with both his father, Steve Potts—a club legend with over 300 appearances—and his brother, Dan, who spent 13 years at the club across both the academy and first-team levels.
Potts made his first-team breakthrough with a brief cameo during West Ham’s 2021/22 Europa League campaign but has since featured in just three matches for the senior team.
The young talent has enjoyed much more playing time out on loan, which has included a season at Wycombe Wanderers in the 2023/24 campaign, and his current loan spell at Portsmouth.
The player has been one of Pompey’s top performers this season, ranked third in their average match ratings among the squad this season according to SofaScore.
Does Potts have a future at West Ham?
Graham Potter hasn’t been shy in incorporating academy graduates into the first team, giving minutes to Ollie Scarles and Lewis Orford since arriving, and has made clear that his intention is to use these players if they’re ready.
Potts’ consistent game time in the Championship and impressive performances is a positive sign that the midfielder has the ability to make the step up to the top-flight.
With little talks of a permanent deal materialising for Carlos Soler at the end of his loan and Guido Rodriguez’s increasing likeliness of leaving in the summer, the midfield is clearly an area in need of strengthening.
Potts will already be favoured by the West Ham faithful due to his Hammers relations, and as an academy player who has evidently got the right attitude, he may certainly be a brilliant option for Potter next season.