West Ham United academy centre-back Levi Laing was named on the bench for Monday night’s FA Cup win over Derby County.
The 19-year-old was part of Hammers boss David Moyes’ 20-man squad that faced the Rams in the fourth round of the FA Cup, with goals from Jarrod Bowen and Michail Antonio sealing a 2-0 win at Pride Park.
But who is the teenager who made a competitive senior squad for the first time in his career? Here is a profile on the centre-back.
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The basic info
Levi Laing is a 19-year-old 6ft 2in centre-back born in London, England, who has also played as a right-back and as a defensive midfielder.
Prior to joining West Ham in January 2021, Laing had spells in the academies of Hampton and Richmond Borough until 2014 before spending two years at Brentford and moving to Arsenal for five years in 2016.
Since joining the Hammers’ academy, Laing has been a regular for West Ham’s under-18s, making 13 appearances for them ahead of becoming a regular for the under-21s.
His career to date
From Kingston in south west London, Laing started playing for local side Hampton and Richmond Borough before joining Brentford at the age of 12.
For Arsenal, who he joined in 2016, Laing played 13 times in the Under-18s Premier League South, as well as playing three times for the club’s under-21s (then under-23s), twice in the Papa John’s Trophy and once in Premier League 2.
Laing’s development has continued in the last two years since at West Ham, making 13 appearances for the under-18s, as well as a further 30 for the club’s under-21s in all competitions.
His involvement in the squad at Derby was his first time in a senior squad for a competitive match in his career.
Laing’s 2022/23 season so far
In Premier League 2 this season, Laing has made 13 appearances in Mark Robson’s side’s 16 games, starting every game he has played in. Despite not scoring, he did provide an assist during the 3-2 win away at Chelsea on Friday.
The centre-back also played in all three of West Ham’s matches in the Papa John’s Trophy, where despite winning two of their three group games, they were unable to reach the knockout rounds. Laing has also played once in the Premier League International Cup this season.
Kurt Zouma’s injury left West Ham short on centre-backs for their trip to Derby and with Nayef Aguerd, Angelo Ogbonna and Thilo Kehrer all starting, Laing got a call-up to the bench.
International career
Laing has played for England at under-15 and under-16 levels, winning one cap for each. His under-16s outing came in July 2018 during a 2-0 win over Croatia.
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