West Ham break EFL record to sign Engels for £22m
West Ham United Secure Historic Signing
Ninoda.com – West Ham United have officially broken the EFL record to secure the services of Arne Engels from Celtic. The Hammers paid a staggering £22m for the Belgian midfielder, a move that confirms they have surpassed the previous benchmark set by Ipswich Town. This significant investment highlights the club's ambition as they prepare for life in the Championship following their relegation in May. With this acquisition, West Ham break EFL record transfer fees for a club in the second tier of English football.
The 22-year-old has signed a five-year contract at the London Stadium, ensuring his long-term commitment to the project. The fee tops the £17.5m that Ipswich Town paid a year ago to sign Norway forward Sindre Walle Egeli. This deal marks a pivotal moment in the club's history, demonstrating their willingness to compete at the highest level despite being in the Championship. As West Ham break EFL record expectations, the focus now shifts to how Engels will integrate into the squad for the upcoming campaign.
Player Profile and Debut
Engels arrives at West Ham with an impressive resume, having scored 17 goals and provided 22 assists in 100 appearances for Celtic. He won back-to-back Scottish Premiership titles after joining from Augsburg in August 2024, having previously started his career at Club Brugge. His versatility and experience at a young age make him an ideal candidate to help the Hammers bounce back to the Premier League. The midfielder has also made four appearances for the Belgium national team, adding further credibility to his profile.
Arne is a player we have been tracking for some time as a key target. For a player who is still very young with his best years in front of him, he has very good experience and has established himself at a big club, showing consistency and confidence. Arne has the right traits, both as a player and as a character, to fit into what we are trying to build moving forward. He is very motivated to be here for this challenge.
— Nils Koppen, West Ham Director of Player Recruitment
Following relegation, West Ham begin their first Championship season since 2012 with a trip to Burnley on Sunday. However, Engels will not be available to make his debut until the home league derby against Charlton Athletic at the London Stadium on Saturday
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