Sean Moore: Reds boss Jim Magilton says teenage winger's West Ham move is a 'fairytale'

Cliftonville manager Jim Magilton has described teenage winger Sean Moore's move to West Ham United as a "fairytale".

The 17-year-old has signed a three-year professional contract with the English Premier League club.

He will initially link up with their Under-21 squad but Magilton has backed him to make the first team.

"They wouldn't have signed him if they didn't think so," he said when asked if Moore could play in the first team.

"Going to a club like West Ham, a person like [sporting director] Mark Noble and a manager like David Moyes, it is fairytale stuff for him - but he knows that this is just the beginning.

"You have to appreciate the judgement calls from Mark Noble and David Moyes, if he has been involved in the recruitment process. They are selecting this boy on what they think can happen.

"He is going into a full-time Premier League environment, which is wonderful. Sean has demonstrated, in a very tough, uncompromising league that not only can he handle it, but also he can flourish in it."

Moore joins Michael Forbes, Callum Marshall, Josh Briggs and Patrick Kelly as players who have come through Irish League clubs and are now at West Ham.

Having represented Northern Ireland at Under-18 level, he switched international allegiance and made his first Under-19 appearance for the Republic of Ireland in March, coming off the bench in a Euro U19 qualifier against Greece.

After making his senior Cliftonville debut in an Irish Cup tie in January 2022, Moore enjoyed a stellar breakout season with the Reds in 2022-23, winning the NI Football Writers' Association Young Player of the Year award after scoring five goals in 31 Premiership appearances.

"He has got wonderful balance, he can go off both sides, he has got enough pace in his game and he will develop physically," Magilton continued.

"His decision-making was something that stood out as well - when to cross, when to dribble. Michael O'Neill [Northern Ireland manager] and I watched him against Glentoran when he scored two goals, one with his right foot and one with his left foot, and he was fabulous. He has got a platform now to go and flourish.

"The foundation that he got at Cliftonville and in the Irish League will stand him in good stead, hopefully, to have a great career.

"If he goes on to have the career that his ability suggests then that again will be wonderful for [former Reds boss] Paddy McLaughlin and his staff, and academy manager Marc Smyth. You cannot underestimate what they have done."

Speaking to the West Ham United website, Moore said it was an easy decision for him to join a "massive club" like West Ham.

"I started playing football when I was six, so it's pretty amazing to sign a professional contract at West Ham United," Moore told the club's website.

He added: "It's a family-orientated club too. I have heard nothing but good things about West Ham. I know Callum Marshall, Patrick Kelly, and Josh Briggs well, and they told me how good it is here and how much they have enjoyed it.

"It's clear there's a pathway to the first team from the Academy as well, which is important for young players such as myself. I would love to play for the first team one day.

"I'm hoping to make a good impression when I start with the U21s and hopefully do very well in east London."