Josh Landers follows in David Gray’s footsteps

Josh Landers has followed in David Gray’s footsteps after sealing a £100k move to English Premier League side West Ham United last month 

The former Peebles High School pupil had been at Hibs since the age of nine. 

He was just 14 when he scored his first goal for the under-18s and played in the UEFA Youth League shortly after turning 15. 

He made his first-team debut when he came off the bench to replace Dylan Vente in the Viaplay Cup semi-final against Aberdeen. 

Landers will play in the Premier League Two for West Ham. 

Gray experienced a similar journey as a youngster when he made a £50k move from the Hearts academy to English giants Manchester United in 2004. 

Gray said: ““I can relate to it a little bit. When I was 16, I had the opportunity to play in Scotland and stay in Scotland. But the opportunity to go down south was something I decided to take. 

“I had just done my standard grades and then left school. I’d gone down a couple of times beforehand to get an idea of what I was going to be doing and where I was staying. 

“I lived in digs with a family that I still speak to, Marion and John – a massive part of my life between 15 and 18 before I moved out. 

“They taught me how to iron, taught me how to cook, taught me all these things and I’m very grateful for that. 

“And it was massive for my mum and dad. I’m now a parent myself so when I think back, I think: ‘How could I let my son leave at 16 and go down south?’ 

“I can imagine how hard it would have been for them. So I even think back to Josh’s family now. He’s going away down there himself – but it’ll be really good. 

“It’s going to be very different for him. He’s away from his family, his friends – living down in London where there is a completely different way of living to what he’s used to from up here. 

“I wish him all the best, because it’s a great opportunity for him to really go and try something new – and hopefully kick on and move on to bigger and better things one day.”