The Hammers are catching up with their summer businessplaceholder image
The Hammers are catching up with their summer business | Getty Images
All the latest news and transfer rumours surrounding West Ham as they prepare for their last pre-season friendly.
West Ham are back in action on Saturday when they face Lille in their final pre-season friendly ahead of the season kicking off next week. The Hammers had a slow start to the summer transfer window, but they are now catching up, signing Callum Wilson from Newcastle United this week.
West Ham deal confirmed
West Ham are closing in on the signing of Botafogo keeper John Victor, and the club’s manager, Davide Ancelotti, has now confirmed that the deal will go ahead.
He told SporTV:“The situation with John was already clear to us yesterday. I spoke to him and thanked him for everything he did for the club. His substitute is ready, and we’re happy to have him.”
West Ham are set to pay £8.6million including bonuses to sign the goalkeeper, who does have a pretty limited amount of league appearances for his age. The 29-year-old has made just 105 league appearances during his career, but 55 of those have come as a regular for Botafogo. Vitor is set to provide much-needed competition for Alphonse Areola, whole Botafogo are signing Neto from AFC Bournemouth to fill the void left behind.
Antonio departs
Michail Antonio will be leaving West Ham after 10 years at the club. The veteran suffered a serious leg injury due to a car crash last season but returned to play for Jamaica in the Gold Cup.
But at 35 years of age, West Ham have decided they were not able to offer him a new contract, and they have parted ways with the striker, but with some touching words and the offer of a home of sorts going forward.
The statement read: “West Ham United can confirm that, following the expiry of his contract at the end of last season, Michail Antonio will not be signing a new deal as a first-team player with the Club. The 35-year-old striker, who joined the Hammers in September 2015 from Nottingham Forest, made 323 appearances over a ten-year period, scoring 83 goals, and becoming the Club’s leading Premier League goalscorer in the process. He also played a key role in ending West Ham United’s 43-year wait for a major trophy, with victory in the 2023 UEFA Europa Conference League final in Prague.
“He was named Hammer of the Year runner-up at the end of his debut season with the Club - when he scored in the Farewell Boleyn victory against Manchester United in May 2016 - and then went one better a year later, becoming Hammer of the Year in our first season at London Stadium.
“The remarkable courage and determination he showed to overcome injuries sustained in a December 2024 road traffic accident saw him return to competitive action on the international stage in June, appearing as a substitute for Jamaica in a CONCACAF Gold Cup tie against Guatemala. More recently he gained further playing time on the pitch in a Hammers shirt when he played 45 minutes and scored twice for our Under-21 development team in a friendly against Boreham Wood.
“Michail will always be a much-loved and respected member of the West Ham United family. As has been the case since December, the Club will continue to support and assist him in his ongoing rehabilitation, offering him access to training, facilities and medical care if needed.
“Dialogue continues over his future involvement with the Club in an alternative capacity - including one that would enable others to benefit from his experience and leadership qualities - and he will forever hold a special place in our 130-year history.
“Everyone at West Ham United would like to sincerely thank Michail for his outstanding, dedicated service in a Claret and Blue shirt over the last ten years. Further recognition of his magnificent contribution will appear across Club channels in the coming days and weeks.”
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