West Ham youth gem Airidas Golambeckis and manager Nuno Espirito Santo clapping.
Credit: Manh Tung, Breaking Media/Imago
Declan Carr
Fri 13 February 2026 11:10, UK
Airidas Golambeckis is one of the most promising talents in the West Ham academy system.
Golambeckis is just 18 years old, but he is already making waves at Rush Green, due to his composed displays in the youth ranks.
He is yet to make his senior debut for the Hammers, but that must change for the FA Cup fourth-round clash with the League One outfit, as the focus turns away from the league campaign.
The Irons travel to the Pirelli Stadium on 14 February, and Nuno Espirito Santo must hand the Lithuanian-born England youth star his first-team opportunity.
Current Premier League table on matchday 26
Credit: Breaking Media
Why Golambeckis deserves his chance for West Ham
Golambeckis has already trained with the senior side many times this season, and he signed a new contract to keep him with the club until 2029.
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He was called up for the England Under-19s squad for the UEFA European U19 Championship qualifiers in November, showing his immense potential.
He also already captains the Under-21 side despite his age, showing that he has the maturity to step up to the first-team level.
West Ham United is delighted to announce that Academy of Football defender Airidas Golambeckis has signed a new contract with the Club until the summer of 2029 ✍️
A great way to celebrate your 18th, Airidas 🎈
— West Ham United (@WestHam) November 4, 2025
View Tweet
The young defender deserves to finally be given his chance to shine, and it would allow Nuno to rest a key starter ahead of the critical run-in in the league.
Mark Noble loves West Ham talent Golambeckis
After he signed the contract to keep him in East London, Mark Noble, the fan favourite turned sporting director, was full of praise.
Speaking via the club’s official media, he said: “He’s a great kid and a top player. Being captain of our U21s team at such a young age is a real honour, but he’s still got loads to learn.
“He’s another one that we’ve got real high hopes for. We would like to see him in our first-team squad soon and I really believe he’s got a chance.”
Team Golambeckis’s appearances
Under-18’s 29
Under-21’s 29
Golambeckis’s stats for West Ham’s youth teams.
The player is a boyhood fan of the club, so he gets what the ‘West Ham way’ means and understands supporters’ feelings, more than the majority of the current squad.
He looks to be on the verge of a place in the senior squad, and it makes perfect sense for one of Noble’s favourites to be given an opportunity to help his beloved side get into the next round of the cup.
Golambeckis could prove to be a vital asset in the near future, no matter what division the Irons are in, so he should be allowed to experience senior football without the pressure of the league behind it.
Noble clearly rates him, and it may time for Nuno to get on board the hype train, and give him his first senior appearance.
For more on West Ham, check out Football Insider for updates and analysis on the London Stadium side.