Former West Ham United youngster Nathan Mavila has admitted the disappointment of not making the big time at the east London club but he is now embarking on a new adventure.
The 20-year-old is product of the fabled Hammers youth academy and was being tipped to have a bright future with the Premier League club.
However, Mavila struggled to make an impression in Slaven Bilic’s first-team squad, with his only involvement a place on the bench for a Europa League qualifier last term.
The versatile full-back or left winger had a two-year contract with West Ham but was released by the Hammers after this deal expired earlier this summer.
With a chance to join Maidstone United after becoming a free agent, Mavila has spoken out about his journey with the Hammers and believes that his new challenge will get the best from him.
“It’s been tough, turning professional at West Ham and not making the grade for them,” he told Kent Online.
“As they were moving into the Olympic Stadium there was so much going on and it was out with the old and in with the new.
“I was unfortunate to be one of the outs but it’s a blessing in disguise because this could be the start of something here and an opportunity to get back on track and actually take my career seriously.”
West Ham have extreme competition for places in the reserve and youth ranks, with plenty of promising players not making the cut unfortunately.
