by Staff Writer
Tuesday, 12th August 2025
Enjoy our daily round-up of today's stories involving West Ham United not covered elsewhere in KUMB's news section.
Michail taking the mic
Michail Antonio will be part of TNT Sports' football coverage from the beginning of the 2025/26 season, it has been confirmed. The striker, whose departure was finally confirmed by West Ham last week after he failed to agree terms on a new pay-as-you-play contract has joined a star-studded punditry team for the broadcaster.
The 35-year-old, who has had one eye on a post-playing media career for some time now is one of five new faces joining TNT's line-up of current and former footballers for the new campaign including former Real Madrid star Gareth Bale. Yet he insists he is not looking to retire from the game just yet. "I'm speaking to clubs right now to see where the best offer is and we'll just see how it goes," he said. "We're talking to clubs here, we're talking to clubs abroad, but I'm going to leave it very vague."
Lucas Paqueta, smooth operator
Lucas Paqueta was previously seen in tears during last season's home encounter with Tottenham Hotspur after receiving a yellow card. And he was witnessed crying once again at the weekend when he was recorded having laser hair removal treatment on his legs!
The Brazilian international has vowed to stay at West Ham and prove his worth to the club after they backed him during his recent FA investigation. And according to Footboom, the midfielder's legs are set to match his silky skills on the pitch next season after his wife, Duda Fournier, took him for treatment.
"With each glaring laser flash, Paqueta twisted his face into grimaces reminiscent of an Oscar-worthy actor," reported the website, commenting on the video which was shared on social media platform Instagram. "With an expression of pure desperation, he grabbed Duda's hand, clung tightly to a straw like a drowning man, and begged for mercy in this self-proclaimed 'torture chamber'."
Duda, it was added, "showed no pity: she laughed heartily, said that it couldn't be so bad after all and even drew a cheeky comparison to the pain of childbirth..."
Angry Ant Mark 2
Niclas Fullkrug , who has been front and centre of the club's media during pre-season says he is pleased with the way in which the summer series of matches panned out - while admitting he became angry with himself and the team at times.
West Ham's number 11 scored three goals during the mini-campaign which saw the Irons take in ties in Switzerland, the USA and in Stratford against Lille last weekend. And while 'Fulle' revealed he believes the team are well-prepared for the new Premier League campaign, which commences on Saturday at Sunderland, there were times during the five pre-season fixtures in which he felt his blood boiling.
"I start to get a little bit angry sometimes if it doesn't go how I want or how we want it as a team," he revealed. " I think when you see the second half [against Lille], we could have scored already earlier because we created good chances. But I think we are ready for the season and we showed that on Saturday."
And the BFG confirmed that he was delighted with the way his new partnership with captain Jarrod Bowen is going. "I think there were three or four situations where we linked up very well," he insisted. "I love this guy. He's my skipper. For us, the most important thing is the team. I think that's also what changed from last year.
"We don't need to speak so much about players, if I score, if Jarrod scores, if Malick assists - we as a team did a great job, everyone. That's the most important thin and it helps us to be successful."
Mads all, folks
New signing Mads Hermansen is poised to become the third player from Denmark to represent West Ham United's first team - although he may have to wait a little longer before making his bow.
Signed as a replacement for the departing Lukasz Fabianski, the 25-year-old will fight for the first team goalkeeper position with Alphonse Areola, who did his own cause no harm at all on Saturday by saving two penalties which won the shootout against Lille.
However it is a battle the younger stopper admits he is relishing. "I've always found a way to progress and develop and take all the right steps at the right time," he insisted. "My move here to West Ham is definitely a great step in my career. Ever since my time at Brondby as a young player I've been very focused on how I could become the best player I can be - and that's what I will try to continue doing here."
And he hopes that his renowned ability with the ball at his feet - in addition to his other goalkeeping strengths - will help tip the managerial team's vote in his favour. " I like to participate in the build-up play," he added. "I think I'm quite good at creating relationships and good communication so I would love to come in and give that to the team as well."
Loanees in league action
Three of West Ham's four young loanees were in action on the opening weekend of the Football League season.
Defender Kaelan Casey made his Championship debut for Swansea City, replacing Swans skipper Ben Cabango with 15 minutes to play in their 1-0 defeat at Middlesbrough - the goal having arrived long before Casey entered the fray.
Elsewhere Mason Terry's season-long loan with Braintree Town got off to the perfect start, as the 20-year-old stopper kept a clean sheet in his new club's comfortable 3-0 win over Halifax Town. A brace from Lewis Walker and a third goal from Frankie Terry was enough to send The Iron joint top of the National League table with Southend United.
In League One, Michael Forbes made his second appearance in a Northampton shirt as Town played out a goalless draw against recently-promoted Bradford City - while Gideon Kodua was an unused substitute as Luton Town recorded a 2-0 win over Peterborough United.
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