Name: Zavon Hines
Date of Birth: 27/12/1988
Position: Striker
Club: West Ham United
Previous clubs: Coventry City (loan)
International caps: U21 - 2 (2)
A product of West Ham’s prolific academy that produced stars such as
Frank Lampard, Rio Ferdinand and Joe Cole, Hines is one of the most
promising players to come through the ranks at the club in recent
years, winning the 2009/2010 Young Hammer of The Year award. The 5ft
11 striker possesses great pace and intelligence for such a young
player and has come off the bench several times for The Hammers and
impressed.
Hines was a regular in West Ham’s youth and reserves teams before
being spotted by Coventry manager Chris Coleman, who took the young
forward on loan where he made 7 first team appearances and scored 1
goal. Hines went on to make his first team debut for West Ham in a
Carling Cup game against Macclesfield Town in August of 2008, but went
on to miss the majority of the 2008/2009 season with a knee injury.
Hines did however seal a new contract with the club, keeping him there
until the summer of 2010. Hines enjoyed a full pre-season with West
Ham prior to the 2009/2010 season and was a regular in the match day
squad, scoring his first goal against Aston Villa in the 93rd minutes
and earning The Hammers an important 3 points. Injury struck again
for Hines in January 2010 when his season was once again cut short due
to knee problems.
Hines was born in Kinston, Jamaica but was raised in London. This
made him eligible to play for Jamaica and England at an international
level and in February 2009 Hines was an unused substitute for Jamaica
against Nigeria, but as he did not play a part in that game Hine
remained available for England and made his debut at Under-21 level
against FYR Macedonia in October 2009, coming off the bench and
scoring twice.
Hines looks set to have a bright future in the game with his talent
evident, however at just 21 years of age he has already had 2 seasons
cut short due to a recurring knee injury, something which he will hope
he is young and healthy enough to overcome and go on to be a first
team regular for both club and country.