HEREFORDSHIRE-BORN Jarrod Bowen has today been unveiled as part of Gareth Southgate's England squad for the Nations league.

After growing up in Leominster, youngster Jarrod Bowen progressed through the Hereford United Academy before moving to Hull City and now West Ham United.

Aged just 23, Bowen netted his first Premier League game on his home debut for West Ham following an initial £18 million transfer for the forward.

We look back at his career so far in pictures.

The Hereford United days

After impressing for Hereford United's youth side, manager Pete Beadle drafted him into the first team, aged just 16.

Bowen repaid his manager's faith and scored his first goal during a 3-2 victory over Alfreton Town

Hereford Times:

Bowen celebrates scoring against Alfreton Town

The Hereford fans celebrate with teenager Bowen following his first goal for the club in April 2014.

Bowen’s humble beginnings with Hereford, where he made eight National League appearances as a 17-year-old, will also provide a source of inspiration for young players lower down the footballing pyramid – with England manager Gareth Southgate noting: “His direct journey is an interesting reminder that you don’t have to be at an elite academy – experience is a great route to go.”

Hull City

Following the sad demise of Hereford United, Bowen signed for Hull City in July 2014.

While progressing through their youth side Bowen returned to Edgar Street and played against the newly former Hereford FC in a friendly match in April 2015.

Hereford Times:

Jarrod Bowen playing against the newly-formed Hereford FC

Bowen impressed the following pre-season making his way into the first-team squad and making his debut in August 2016.

He went on to make 131 appearances and scored 54 goals.

Hereford Times:

Bowen playing for Hull City against Blackburn Rovers.

His spell began with limited exposure at the tail end of a Premier League relegation season.

He then scored 14 Championship goals in 2017-18, 22 the following campaign and 16 in 29 games in 2019-20 before his mid-season move.

West Ham signing

After much speculation, Bowen signed for West Ham for an initial £18 million, with a further £7m in potential add-ons.

Hereford Times:

After joining in January 2020, he played 13 games in the remainder of that season and scored his first Premier League goal in his third appearance as the Hammers beat Southampton 3-1, adding four assists to quickly make a good impression in his new colours.

He played in every league game last season and 40 in all competitions, with eight goals and five assists to show for it, before scoring 18 in 51 games this term while also reaching double figures for assists.

Hereford Times:

Double-double

Only two Englishmen reached double figures for goals and assists in this season’s Premier League – Bowen and England mainstay Mason Mount.

Bowen outscored the Chelsea man by one with 12 goals while each recorded 10 assists, joint third in the top flight behind Mohamed Salah and his Liverpool team-mate, and England international, Trent Alexander-Arnold.

National team skipper Harry Kane continued to top the combined ranking among English players with 17 goals and nine assists, but Bowen’s statistics prove the 25-year-old belongs in that company.

Bowen has also produced against the league’s leading lights, scoring twice against Manchester City before the champions fought back to force a 2-2 draw in the penultimate game of the season. Arsenal, Chelsea and Leicester were also among the teams on the receiving end of Bowen goals.

He also recorded two assists in a game on three separate occasions, including against title challengers Liverpool in November. He also set up a couple against relegated pair Norwich and Watford and won a penalty in both games.