West Ham United are mourning the loss of one of the club’s young talents after 15-year-old goalkeeper Oscar Fairs from Benfleet, Essex tragically passed away after a valiant battle with cancer.

Diagnosed with a rare 7cm ependymoma brain tumour in August 2023, Oscar underwent an arduous journey of seven surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy before being placed in palliative care.

A GoFundMe page was launched to support his family’s quest to raise £100,000 for a treatment trial in France, which saw generous donations from West Ham players contributing £27,000, chairman David Sullivan giving £10,000, and Arsenal star and ex-Hammer Declan Rice adding £5,000, as revealed by Ms Fairs.

The club confirmed the heartbreaking news on Friday, with sporting director Mark Noble expressing deep sorrow: “Oscar was adored by everyone at the academy.

“Not only was he a great goalkeeper, he was a true Hammer and a fantastic young person, who will be deeply missed by everyone who had the pleasure to know him.

“I have wonderful memories of Oscar playing in my garden – (my son) Lenny and his team-mates all loved him.

“He was a friendly, happy, well-mannered and polite young man, who had such a bright future ahead of him, and it is just so unimaginably devastating that he has been taken from his family and friends at this age.”

West Ham extended their heartfelt thoughts and sincere condolences to Oscar’s parents, Natalie and Russell, his brother Harry, and requested privacy for the family during this profoundly challenging time.

As a mark of respect, all scheduled academy fixtures over the weekend have been postponed. The Hammers vowed to “ensure that his name is never forgotten at West Ham United”.