James Jones
West Ham are set to announced the signing of Wes Foderingham, as reported by The Athletic.
After being released by Sheffield United following the Blades’ relegation to the Championship, it’s believed the 33-year-old has agreed a two-year contract at London Stadium.
The recent departures of Nathan Trott to FC Copenhagen and release of Joseph Anang has freed up a space in Julen Lopetegui’s squad for a third-choice goalkeeper, and it appears the new Hammers boss has opted for experience over youth to fill that slot.
Foderingham will likely never play a first-team game for the Hammers, or will used very sparingly at the very least, but he brings a level of experience and quality to the West Ham squad nonetheless. His arrival also helps West Ham satisfy homegrown player status within their squad ahead of the new season.
Alphonse Areola and Lukasz Fabianski are expected to remain the two first team goalkeepers at the club for the 24/25 season.
Embed from Getty ImagesFoderingham’s pedigree may be tarnished somewhat by his record for Sheffield United last season – conceding 79 goals in 30 appearances and keeping just one clean sheet – but the Blades were less than convincing defensively throughout the entire season as they went on to become the first side to concede more than 100 goals in a 38-game season.
The shot stopper was dropped for Sheffield United’s final eight league games of the season, but he still ended the campaign with the 6th most saves in the division with 133. That’s only five fewer than Areola made.
The fact he made five errors leading to goals – and even scored one own goal – won’t inject a great deal of confidence into the fanbase, but that won’t matter too much given the role Foderingham will be expected to play in the squad.
Foderingham will be Lopetegui’s second signing since replacing David Moyes this summer, after Brazilian Luis Guilherme joined from Palmeiras for £25.5m earlier in June.
