The transfer of Sonny Perkins from West Ham to Leeds United in the summer certainly ruffled a few feathers in East London, however the 18-year-old has been quietly making a name for himself in the North.
Seven goals in nine Premier League 2 games led to the strikers first team start last week in Leeds’s 1-0 loss to Wolves in the EFL Cup.
Playing 71 minutes at Molineux Perkins certainly impressed, making the matchday squad for Jesse Marsch’s sides 4-3 loss to Tottenham on Saturday.
Speaking exclusively to Park Life Sports last summer before his move, Perkins looked back on his journey and making European debuts for West Ham in front of 60,000.
“I was in the 23s and scoring quite regularly and I heard that the first team were liking what they were seeing,” said Perkins on the run up to his European debut last season.
“You’ve got to prepare so you’re ready to come on, but I wasn’t expecting it at all, just to be in the squad was enough for me.” Perkins came on as a substitute in West Ham’s 2-0 win away to Rapid Wien last season and reflected on that moment.
“Nothing fully prepares you for the feeling when the manager turns around and says you’re coming on, I still remember it so clearly when I was sitting on the bench, and the manager says my name to his staff behind him and then suddenly you feel nervous but excited as well. Before you know it, you’re on the pitch and you must focus,” expressed Perkins.
Perkins then made his full debut for the Hammers at home to Dinamo Zagreb a few weeks later, playing out the full 90 minutes. “It was the first time I was playing in front of fans because my debut was in an empty stadium, I’ll never forget that moment of playing in front of fans for the first time.”
Perkins made only one more appearance for the West Ham first team, making his Premier League debut against his current club Leeds as a last-minute substitute.
“I would say the Premier League debut was the most surreal”, remembers Perkins. “It’s what you dream off, it’s what everyone watches especially growing up in London, the Premier League is the main event.”
Six months later, Perkins was signing for the club he made his debut against, after his contract in East London expired.
In a strong statement from West Ham accusing Leeds of foul play they said, “the club is disappointed with Perkins’ representatives and strongly believe he was approached to sign for another club which led to him asking to be released from his scholarship at West Ham United.
“West Ham United take this matter very seriously – we believe the rules and structures in place at the Football Association and Premier League should be always upheld.
“The club will be making no further comment.”
Nothing else has come out of either club surrounding the transfer saga, with Perkins making sure his head was down and concentrating on his new club.
The youngster was awarded the Premier League 2 Player of the Month award in August after scoring five goals in his first four matches and has continued that fine form all season.
After last Wednesday’s debut for Perkins, assistant head coach Rene Maric spoke very highly of the striker.
“We are watching every single game with the Under-21s, and I agree with you that in Sonny we have a player who is very young and extremely talented there,” Maric said speaking to Leeds Live. “He’s a type of player that is eye-catching because that mixture of physical posture and his ability on the ball is rare.
“He has to iron out some details. We’re working on him because of these things also, too, because he’s very young.
“Even if you don’t see the way he plays you have still to bear in mind the way he’s able to play for 90 minutes on the highest level and it’s just about becoming consistent and working on these details. But just in terms of his talent, his abilities, potential, we’re very happy with him and we have a lot of faith in his potential.”
