West Ham’s Burke hopeful of Championship loan deal

West Ham’s Reece Burke has signed a new contract with the east Londoners, but the youngster admits he is very much open to a loan move away from his boyhood club.

The 19-year-old was Bradford City’s player of the year whilst on loan there last season, and after cutting his teeth in League One he is looking to make another step up this term.

The centre-back featured in the London Stadium’s curtain-raising clash against Juventus in pre-season, and admits he is relishing any first-team action that comes his way – with Romanian side Astra visiting this week.

But with the likes of Winston Reid and James Collins ahead of him in manager Slaven Bilic’s pecking order, Burke is looking for more experience away from his beloved Hammers this season.

“As a West Ham fan as well as a player, it’s fantastic to be involved with the club during this period,” he said.

“It’s still sinking in, the move and the changes here. Over time, I really believe everything will settle in, and it will feel like home very, very soon.

“I’m hoping to be involved, and if Slaven asks me to do a job anywhere on the pitch I’ll definitely be up for it. But the club has a few centre-halves this season so there’s a lot of competition there.

“This season for me, another loan move may happen. I think I’m going to try and do Championship – the next step – and see how the season goes hopefully playing Championship football and I’ll hopefully get another load of games under my belt.

“I want to build on that experience and come back next year even better, just similarly building like I did last season. Hopefully I could have a similarly positive season this year in the Championship.”