On the day when Mateus Fernandes took Frank Lampard’s old number 18 shirt, Soungoutou Magassa followed in the footsteps of two more iconic West Ham United academy graduates.
Shortly after Mateus Fernandes put pen to paper on a five-year deal at the London Stadium, it was confirmed that the £40 million signing from Southampton would be wearing the same shirt which once belonged to one of the Premier League’s greatest ever midfielders.
Not literally, of course.
Frank Lampard wore 18 from 1996 until his controversial move to Chelsea following the turn of the Millennium.
West Ham United will be praying that Fernandes does not take a similar route to Stamford Bridge a few years down the line. But if the talented Iberian goes on to enjoy even a fraction of Lampard’s success in the capital city, that hefty investment would have been worth it.
As for the other shiny new gadget in Graham Potter’s toolbox, the West Ham boss welcomed Soungoutou Magassa to his new East London home some eleven hours after Fernandes walked through the door.
And while Fernandes inherits a shirt once donned by Frank Lampard, Magassa emulates another of England’s most successful modern-day footballers.
New West Ham United signing Soungoutou Magassa posing for AS Monaco Portraits - UEFA Champions League 2025/26
Photo by Francesco Scaccianoce – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
Soungoutou Magassa follows Rio Ferdinand and Tony Cottee at West Ham United
Rio Ferdinand might have made his name with the number 15 on his claret and blue-clad back, but the Manchester United icon actually wore 27 when truly establishing himself at Upton Park during the 1996/97 campaign.
Others to wear the 27 include none other than the legendary Tony Cottee.
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The second-highest goalscorer in West Ham’s history enjoyed two prolific spells with the club. Returning for another stint after a couple of years with Everton, Cottee was handed the number 27 in 1994 and went on to score 13 Premier League goals that season.
France Under-21 international Magassa, though, may take greater inspiration from one Dimitri Payet, albeit hopefully only with regards to his on-field performances.
While the nature of Payet’s highly-contentious departure did irreplaceable damage to his reputation, the mercurial Frenchman still dazzled in the same shirt Magassa now hopes to make his own.
Tony Cottee scoring during Watford v West Ham - Football League 1986
Photo by Mark Leech/Getty Images
Graham Potter explains why West Ham signed Magassa from Monaco
Fellow Frenchman – and Ferdinand’s former Man United teammate – Patrice Evra wore the 27 himself, albeit very briefly.
As did Marko Arnautovic, Lucas Perez, Albian Ajeti and most recently Nayef Aguerd, before he jumped up to number five.
After entering advanced talks towards the end of last week, West Ham fought off Nottingham Forest and survived a late hi-jack attempt from Eintracht Frankfurt before announcing Magassa on a long-term contract.
While the manager feels Mateus Fernandes will bring a ‘different dimension’ to the midfield – a much-needed one, too – Graham Potter spoke glowingly about Magassa and the rock-solid mentality which should help him deal with the pressure of the Premier League.
Rio Ferdinand playing for West Ham United in the Tony Carr Testimonial Match
Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images
“We are very happy to welcome Soungoutou to West Ham United,” Potter begins. “Like Mateus Fernandes, he is a young player who has made very impressive progress right at the start of his senior career.
“He has played regularly for Monaco over the past two seasons, including in the Champions League last year, and stood up really well to that test.
“Again, he has a range of attributes and qualities that we feel will complement what we already have at the club and also help to improve us.
“Soungoutou is a determined, hungry and focused young man – we are looking forward to working with him and excited to see him continue his development with us.”