Bermuda football legend Clyde Best has high expectations for promising midfielder Remy Coddington who has signed a full-scholarship at his former club West Ham United.

Coddington, 16, has joined West Ham’s prestigious Football Academy from AFC Bournemouth having recently put pen-to-paper on two-year scholarship deal.

“I think Remy has the potential,” Best, who netted 47 goals in 186 appearances for West Ham between 1968 and 1976, said.

“I’ve seen him play and he can play. Who knows, he might be able to help us down the road because he’s good enough.

“It’s a few guys we have here that have potential, we just have to make sure they have the right mentality because potential alone doesn’t do it.

“You have to have the right attitude and Remy has the right attitude because he loves the game.”

Coddington is thrilled over the opportunity to further groom his skills at the Premier League club.

“I am very excited for the new opportunity and all the things it will bring me and can’t wait to get started,” he told The Royal Gazette.

The former North Village youth player has transitioned from schoolboy level to a full-time scholarship programme.

He now joins eight other youngsters at the Academy and will play for West Ham’s Under-18 side next season under coaches Kevin Keen and Mark Phillips.

“I’m delighted that we’ve been able to secure a player of Remy’s potential,” Ricky Martin, the Academy Manager, told the West Ham website.

“Remy was identified via the Recruitment department, whom I’d like to thank, and things have moved quickly in the last week or so.

“Remy will be moving into the Academy House and will start his scholarship journey on Tuesday next week, along with the other Under-18 players.

“I’d like to welcome Remy to the Academy and wish him every success. He is a very talented young player and when I met him last week, I was also impressed with his maturity, enthusiasm and character, and I am confident he will settle in well to Kevin Keen’s and Mark Phillips’ youth team.”

Coddington, son of former Devonshire Cougars and North Village midfielder PJ Coddington, underlined his potential representing Bermuda at last summer’s Concacaf Boys’ Under-15 Championship at Bradenton, Florida.

He bagged three goals in four games to help the young Gombey Warriors top their group and reach the Division 2 semi-finals, where they lost 2-1 against Puerto Rico at the IMG Academy.

“Much appreciative of him [Coddington] being a part of the youth Under-15 tournament we had and still being a part of the Bermuda National Academy,” Aaron Lugo, the National Academy staff coach, said. “As coach I am appreciative that he is willing to listen and always ready to go whenever we call.

“All credit to Bournemouth in his development and all credit to his mum and dad for sticking with him and making sure his dreams come true. Kudos to everyone that’s played a part in his development.

“The hard work is now paying off and I’d like to wish Remy the best of luck in his endeavours in all his football career.”

Coddington now brings the number of Bermudian players at West Ham to two behind goalkeeper Nathan Trott.

Trott joined the club in 2016 and was loaned out to League One side AFC Wimbledon after signing a new four-year deal last year.