Alious
Former West Ham prodigy Sonny Perkins has engineered a return to his East London roots, albeit with a twist – joining League One outfit Leyton Orient on a season-long loan from Leeds United. This move marks an intriguing new chapter in the 20-year-old’s developing career story.
Perkins’ journey began impressively at West Ham, where he achieved notable milestones including a Europa League debut against Rapid Wien and a Premier League appearance at just 17 – ironically against Leeds United, the club he would later join. His 2022 move to Leeds was driven by aspirations of regular first-team football, but reality proved more challenging with just four appearances for the Yorkshire side.
Despite boasting an impressive scoring record at youth level for both West Ham and Leeds’ development squads, Perkins has struggled to translate this success to senior football. A previous loan spell at Oxford United yielded only six appearances, falling short of providing the crucial playing time needed for his development.
Orient’s head coach Richie Wellens sees significant potential in Perkins’ versatility, highlighting his ability to operate both as a central striker and in the number ten role. Wellens believes the youngster’s prolific youth-level scoring record indicates he’s primed for the transition to regular senior football.
Perkins himself appears energized by the opportunity, expressing ambitions to drive Orient forward. “I want to help the club push forward as much as possible. I’d love to bring energy and hope to help the club and see us push for as good of a season as we can do,” he stated, as reported by Claret & Hugh.
This League One move represents a crucial juncture in Perkins’ career – offering regular first-team opportunities in a competitive environment, all while returning to familiar East London territory where his football journey began.
Alious
