West Ham United will have five young players involved with England during the September and October international window.
Finlay Herrick, Airidas Golambeckis, Ezra Mayers and Divine Mukasa have all been named in England’s Under-20 squad.
Goalkeeper Finley Hooper has also been selected for the Under-19s.
The call-ups provide another endorsement of West Ham’s academy pathway at a time when several young players are already pushing into Nuno Espírito Santo’s first-team plans.
Four West Ham players named in England U20 squad
England officially confirmed their latest development squads on Friday.
Finlay Herrick, Airidas Golambeckis, Ezra Mayers and Divine Mukasa have all been selected by Darren Moore for three U20 Euro Elite League fixtures in Spain.
The Young Lions will face Italy on 25 September, France on 29 September and Germany on 3 October.
Herrick arrives in the squad having already gained valuable senior experience with West Ham.
The 20-year-old started Tuesday’s Carabao Cup defeat to Fulham and has become an increasingly established member of Nuno’s first-team group.
Herrick recently reflected on his development after the Fulham tie, admitting there were still areas of his game he wanted to improve.
Golambeckis has also stepped up this season.
The defender made his first Championship start during the 1-1 draw at Watford and produced an assured performance alongside Max Kilman.
Read West Ham has previously examined how Golambeckis gave Nuno another genuine first-team option.
Mayers has been involved around the senior squad as well, including during West Ham’s Carabao Cup run.
Divine Mukasa continues rapid rise
Mukasa is arguably the most established of the quartet at first-team level.
The 19-year-old has become a regular part of Nuno’s Championship midfield after returning to West Ham on loan from Manchester City.
He scored twice in the 4-2 victory over Wolves and has since continued to earn significant minutes.
West Ham officially confirmed in August that Mukasa had returned to the club on a season-long loan.
His performances since then have only strengthened his reputation as one of England’s leading young midfielders.
Read West Ham recently looked at why Mukasa has become increasingly important to Nuno’s midfield.
International football now gives him another chance to continue that progress.
Finley Hooper earns England U19 selection
West Ham will also be represented at Under-19 level.
Goalkeeper Finley Hooper has been included in Ben Futcher’s 24-man squad.
England U19s begin against the Republic of Ireland at St George’s Park on 25 September before travelling to Spain.
They will then face Norway, the United States and Belgium.
Hooper’s selection means West Ham will have representation across two England youth age groups during the international break.
That is another encouraging sign for the Academy of Football.
Several academy graduates and young players have already been given first-team opportunities this season.
Herrick, Golambeckis and Mayers have all been trusted in senior matchday squads, while Mukasa has become an important member of Nuno’s starting side.
The latest England selections provide further evidence that West Ham’s next generation is attracting attention beyond east London.
