Hull City are delighted to announce the signing of Callum Yam on a one-and-a-half-year deal, with the club holding the option of an extra year.
Seeing his two-year scholarship finish early at Sheffield United, the 17-year-old will link up originally with Chad Gribble’s Under-18 side before progressing to Conor Sellars’ Under-21 team next season as a first-year professional.
“We are really pleased to get Callum in. We were alerted about him a few months ago and he had some options on the table and we are delighted he chose us," said Under-18s manager Chad Gribble.
"I think it is a really good fit for Callum. His attributes link to the way we play football and I think it is healthy competition for George (Wilson) and Archie (Howard) who have both done so well this season.
"Ultimately we want to have the best young players in the area at the football club and unfortunately for Callum, his time was due to come to an end at Sheffield United.
"He came highly recommended and he’s backed those recommendations up with his performances and it was nice for him to start with his debut against Barnsley and keep a clean sheet. There’s lots to work on and he’s aware of that, but the way he plays suits the way we play."
Goalkeeper Yam began his youth career at Newcastle United as a six-year-old, progressing through the Magpies’ academy for 10 years before beginning a two-year scholarship at Sheffield United.
With the Blades, the shot-stopper featured at both Under-18 and Under-21 level. He was named captain on a number of occasions for the Under-18 and helped the Under-21s win the regular Professional Development League North title last season, losing in the national play-off final.
More recently, Yam featured as an unnamed trialist for the Tigers as the Under-18s reigned 3-0 victors over Barnsley.
“I am buzzing and delighted to sign for a such a great club. Coming over to Hull City and getting the deal over the line was what I wanted,” said Yam.
“The fact that it was such a family club felt home like. Everyone was welcoming to me and also polite and the play style was such a big factor. It attracted me and it is how I like to play so I couldn’t really choose any other club.
“It was a very proud moment for me to make my debut. Getting the deal over the line and putting on the shirt for the first time; I was just excited to play. To top it off with a clean sheet, you cannot really complain as a goalkeeper getting a clean sheet.
“I’m hoping to achieve the play-offs with the Under-18s. We want to really push for that and I would like to get a few Under-21s games under my belt, push the other goalkeepers and hopefully get in and around the first team.”
