A SPORTS journalism student has scored a full-time job with West Ham United before he even graduates in the summer.

Matt Riggs, of Sunderland University, beat hundreds of other applicants to land the 12-month editorial internship at the Premier League club, writing for the Hammers’ various publications and producing content for their multi-media platforms, from match day programmes to Snapchat.

It was the 21-year-old’s versatility and experience which landed him the role, having spent the last two years of his degree juggling his studies alongside his voluntary role as Blyth Spartans' senior press officer, SpartansTV producer, Radio Northumberland co-commentator and Matchday magazine editor.

That knowledge and confidence he has gained while studying at Sunderland has been put to good use. Within the first three days of the new job Matt was asked to interview celebrated West Ham players both past and present, including Teddy Sheringham, Trevor Sinclair and Dean Ashton, as part of captain Mark Noble’s testimonial game.

Matt, from Hertfordshire, said: “I’ve certainly been thrown in at the deep end in my first week. It was a surreal moment, but also very cool getting a phone call from Teddy Sheringham.

“I could be asked to do anything from writing simple stories for the website to filming and producing video content at first team matches.

"Thankfully all the extra work I put in at Sunderland, working on the University’s SportsByte website and with Blyth Spartans’ media team for the last two years has given me so much confidence."

Lecturers at Sunderland will also be supporting Matt, as he completes his final year dissertation, before he graduates in the summer, whilst working full-time.

Dr John Price, Senior Lecturer in Journalism, said: “Matt has been an outstanding student who has done all the right things to give him the best chance of a successful career in the sports media."