Djair Parfitt-Williams, the Bermuda-born forward, has signed his first professional contract at Barclays Premier League side West Ham United.

The 18-year-old, who moved to California when he was eight, put pen to paper on a two-year deal after his impressive performances for the West Ham Academy this season.

He was the under-18 side’s top scorer with nine goals and admitted it felt “kind of weird” to fulfil his dream of turning professional.

“Ever since I was young I’ve always wanted to be a professional footballer, so it feels really good,” Parfitt-Williams said.

“It’s nice to see my hard work recognised. I do a lot of extra training and I’m always watching football. For my hard work to come out on the pitch is excellent.

“I’ve known the contract was coming for a while, so it’s nice to finally sign it. It felt kind of weird.”

Parfitt-Williams was also nominated for the Dylan Tombides award at this year’s player awards.

Tombides, who visited Bermuda in 2010 with the West Ham Academy, died last year after a three-year battle with testicular cancer. He was aged 20.

Speaking about being nominated, Parfitt-Williams said: “It was nice to be nominated for the award.

“I was unlucky not to win it but it’s just nice to be recognised as one of the best players at the Academy.

“It’s great to be top scorer. I’ve worked hard on my finishing which has paid off in my games.”

Last month Parfitt-Williams starred for West Ham Academy in the Hong Kong Sevens tournament, scoring against Hong Kong Premier League champions Kitchee. West Ham lost to Atlético Madrid 3-2 in the final.

Parfitt-Williams, who has pledged his allegiance to the United States rather than Bermuda, said that he had been inspired by his team-mate Reece Burke, who broke into the club’s first team at the end of the season.

Burke, an 18-year-old defender, made his Premier League debut in a 0-0 draw against Queens Park Rangers last month.

“Reece breaking into the first team is great,” Parfitt-Williams said. “It’s a huge incentive for me and all the other players trying to break into the first team.

“It’s made me hungrier to get there. I’ve been team-mates with Reece since I came to West Ham as an under-15.”

Parfitt-Williams was recommended to the East London club by former West Ham striker Clyde Best, who spotted something in him during a training session with Somerset Trojans.

He had been playing for the San Jose Earthquakes Academy when his grandfather Lynn Wade contacted Best, who starred for West Ham between 1968 and 1976, to run the rule over the youngster.