Credit: Imago

Harri Burton

Mon 6 April 2026 9:30, UK

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Finlay Herrick was almost West Ham United‘s newest hero after replacing an injured Alphonse Areola in an FA Cup quarter-final.

Mads Hermansen was rested for the defeat to Leeds United on Sunday, 5 April, and with Areola unable to continue with cramp in extra time, Nuno Espirito Santo only had one player left to turn to.

Just reaching extra time was a miracle for the Hammers, with Mateus Fernandes and Axel Disasi both netting in added time of the normal 90 minutes after going two goals behind.

West Ham were eventually knocked out by Leeds, but Herrick was so close to a starring role during a penalty shootout at the London Stadium, even saving the first spot-kick against Joel Piroe.

Who is goalkeeper Finlay Herrick?

Despite never making his senior debut for the Hammers, spending the first half of the 2025-26 campaign at National League side Boreham Wood, he was thrown straight into the deep end.

The 20-year-old replaced Areola in the final moments of extra time, getting himself pumped up for penalties, and it would have been an absolute dream for the shot-stopper.

He joined the club’s academy at the age of six, rising through the youth ranks before winning the Under-18s Premier League title and FA Youth Cup with the Irons.

During the 2024-25 season, Herrick was nominated for the Premier League 2 Player of the Season, boasting the most clean sheets in the division, clearly earning his spot in the senior team.

West Ham gem’s contract situation examined

Herrick last put pen to paper on a new deal in October 2024, committing his future to the club until the summer of 2028, and living the dream of many West Ham fans.

He has clearly impressed the likes of Mark Noble, who continues to work with the academy, but if he manages to break into the senior set-up on a regular basis, his contract may have to be looked at again.

As an academy product, he will be on a small salary in comparison to the rest of the first-team squad, but Nuno might already have plans for the young talent.

Neither Hermansen nor Areola have managed to hold down the No.1 spot at the London Stadium, so Herrick might be hopeful of more minutes over the next couple of seasons.