Young Boreham Wood midfielder Pelly Ruddock, has successfully completed his dream move to Championship side West Ham United, after coming through a successful trial period with The Hammers.

West Ham saw off interest from Queens Park Rangers, Watford and Reading for the 17-year-old's signature, when the player asked Boreham Wood chairman Danny Hunter to respectfully turn down other requests for him to trial elsewhere and sit down if possible and conclude a deal with the Irons.

After those negotiations were completed, Ruddock was rewarded with a two-and-a-half-year professional contract.

According to the Wood chairman, West Ham's conduct was excellent. “They were impeccable to deal with” he said and also spoke glowingly about the Hammers' Academy director Tony Carr, who he described “as a sincere football man, and when you consider what he’s achieved in the game, to then spend a lot of time with me, to ensure the detail worked for all parties, in terms of Pelly’s lodgings, education, finances and other smaller details meant a great deal to me."

When asked about Ruddock, Carr said “We are pleased to have signed Pelly from Boreham Wood, we see a young player with great potential and hope with further training and coaching we can produce a player ready to play for our first team in the not too distant future”.

Ruddock, who has featured in more than a dozen games for Wood’s first team this season, had also caught the eye of other league clubs during the Under-18's FA Youth Cup run to the first round Proper.

Discussing his dream move to The Hammers, Ruddock said: “I’m so happy to have signed for West Ham, they are a great club, with fantastic support and an outstanding history.

"When I was told that West Ham were interested in signing me I asked the chairman to turn down any offers for me to trial with other clubs, because I knew where I wanted to be.

“I’m really looking forward to training everyday and pushing myself to be the best I can. Everyone at West Ham and Boreham Wood have been fantastic, and now I can’t wait to put a Hammers shirt on."

Head PASE (Programme for Academic and Sporting Excellence) coach Luke Garrard said “I am so pleased for Pelly, its great news for both him and the club.

"It’s nothing more than he deserves after working tirelessly over his three years with us at Boreham Wood.

"He’s now in an environment with other young professionals, living the right lifestyle in his lodgings and learning everyday from the likes of Tony Carr. So if he works hard, he gives himself a great chance to fulfil his dream at West Ham United”.

A proud Wood chairman Hunter said: “Twelve years ago when I set up the club's ‘investment in youth’ programme, many people questioned that decision, however that has culminated in so many of our youth players progressing, and has now evolved into our present successful PASE Scheme.

“Also over those last 12 seasons our investment has produced players like Lee Hodson, Matthew Whichelow and Kyle Connolly, who are now at Watford FC, Simon Thomas, who signed for Crystal Palace, George Nicholas, who went to Notts County, and Danny Hart who went to neighbours Barnet, to name just a few.

“On top of those lads, we have also progressed around 100 of our boys, who now play at the top levels of non-league football, whilst not forgetting the 100 per cent scholarships that have been awarded to our boys who now play and study in America.

“When you quantify that with England Schoolboy and College Internationals honours we’ve had, plus winning National Cups with our Under-19s three times in recent years, all in all it has been an amazing success story and I must say it has been incredibly rewarding for me and our coaches.

“However, I must also thank my hard working staff, coaches and other supportive organisations like Hertsmere Borough Council, Cardif Pinnacle, Elstree & Borehamwood Town Council, Cohenel College, Oakland’s College, Verulam School and all our wonderful sponsors for their support and backing over the years which has made this scheme possible,” Hunter concluded.

Former West Ham and Leyton Orient player Daryl McMahon, Wood's assistant manager and player, said: “Pelly Ruddock is another talented boy, who could be something special. He now has the chance at a top club, with a fantastic reputation and proven track record for producing young talent to achieve his lifetime ambitions.

"As someone who spent five years at West Ham’s Academy, I couldn’t be happier for Pelly or his family, and in West Ham he really is in wonderful hands. It’s a great grounding for any young pro and if he works hard he has a real shot at it.”

It is believed that as part of the transfer deal between the clubs, Hunter also secured a full West Ham first team to play Boreham Wood in a pre-season friendly at Meadow Park, in July or August in 2012 and 2013.

This could be a lucrative fixture for the club, as West Ham look to be heading back to the Premiership at the first attempt. On top of that, Hunter has also secured other additional add-ons, sell-ons and other incentive-based clauses, which should things go well for Ruddock and West Ham would ensure that Boreham Wood are rewarded financially for its vision and investment in its PASE Structure.