FOOTBALL'S governing body has tipped a young West Ham goalkeeper to shine in a youth competition.

FIFA praised Hammers stopper Deniz Mehmet after a series of glowing games for Turkey in the UEFA European Under-17 Championship last month.

Following his performances, the organisation predicted that Mehmet and seven other players will do well at this year's FIFA Under-17 World Cup.

A statement on the FIFA website said: "Turkey's goalkeeper Deniz Mehmet showed just how much he has learnt at West Ham's Academy, where he has followed in the footsteps of luminaries such as Frank Lampard, Joe Cole, Michael Carrick and Rio Ferdinand."

Werder Bremen forward Lennart Thy, dead-ball specialist Florian Trinks, Liverpool left-back Christopher Buchtmann and Borussia Dortmund midfielder Mario Gotze have all been tipped as exciting prospects, as have Feyenoord pair Luc Castaignos and Shabir Isoufi.