Formed by Hammers supporters Jack Elderton and Callum Goodall to offer their fellow fans in-depth but accessible analysis of their team and its players,Analytics United provide content for the Club's official website, app, Official Programme and social media channels.
Today, Analytics United use performance analysis and data to examine the contribution Mads Hermansen could make to West Ham United...
West Ham United have confirmed the signing of goalkeeper Mads Hermansen from Leicester City. The 25-year-old will compete with Alphonse Areola for the number one spot in East London following the Foxes’ relegation to the Championship at the end of the 2024/25 season.
Hermansen began his senior career in Denmark with Brøndby IF, the third-most decorated club in the country’s football history. He quickly impressed as a young goalkeeper after taking over from German stopper Marvin Schwäbe, who departed for 1. FC Köln at the start of the 2021/22 season. Back then, while working closely with recently appointed West Ham lead goalkeeper coach Casper Ankergren, Hermansen rose to prominence thanks to his standout qualities in build-up play. He ranked especially highly for the total number of passes played, favouring shorter, controlled distribution, whilst also putting in reliable shot-stopping performances too, with a 72.5% save rate. That percentage would have ranked just above Liverpool’s Alisson in the Premier League last season (72%).
His performances soon earned him a place with Denmark’s U21s, where he became captain after just three appearances and led the side almost unbeaten through U21 Euros qualification for the 2023 finals, with the sole loss coming in a match he missed against Belgium. Although Denmark were eventually knocked out on penalties by Croatia in the play-offs, Hermansen had done enough to earn a call-up to the senior squad the following season, serving as backup to former Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel. It almost felt like destiny when Leicester approached him at the end of the following Superliga season.