West Ham’s flurry of activity last summer – in August 2024 – involved several last-minute loan deals to move players off the squad list to allow the space in the squad for the likes of Carlos Soler and Guido Rodriguez to come on board. Julen Lopetegui also managed to send youngsters Freddie Potts and George Earthy out to Championship clubs, Nayef Aguerd to Real Sociedad, James Ward-Prowse to Nottingham Forest and Maxwel Cornet -undoubtedly the least successful of the loans – to Southampton.
One often forgotten player still on West Ham’s payroll is former skipper Kurt Zouma. The valiant one-legged defender – and former club captain – failed his first medical but was finally placed on a season-long loan with Saudi side Al Orobah. Roshane Thomas in yesterdays mammoth tome ‘How To Fix West Ham’ confirmed in nytimes.com/athletic that the French- capped international Hammer is destined to end his West Ham employ :
“Zouma, who was captain last season, joined Al Orobah on a season-long loan in August. Sources with knowledge of the situation, speaking anonymously to The Athletic to protect relationships, believe the 30-year-old centre-back will remain in the Saudi Pro League. West Ham have the option to extend Zouma’s contract by a further year, but are unlikely to trigger the clause.”
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Zouma confirmed : End of his West Ham contract
So it is a farewell to ‘Zoooooo‘ -ma who played over 100 times for the club and was indeed a captain for one season. Surely he deserves a thank you’ for his commitment and efforts? Whatever his shortcomings – don’t mention the cat – he put is body on the line every time and gave it 100% for the Hammers.