West Ham United have announced the signing of goalkeeper Wes Foderingham.
Foderingham will join West Ham on a free transfer on 1 July, when his contract expires at Sheffield United.
Wes is West Ham ⚒️ pic.twitter.com/XwTAq5yoTF
— West Ham United (@WestHam) June 26, 2024
The 33-year-old made 30 Premier League appearances in 2023/24 as Sheff Utd were relegated from the Premier League.
Foderingham is West Ham's and new head coach Julen Lopetegui's second summer signing, following the arrival of winger Luis Guilherme from Palmeiras.
Eight things you need to know about West Ham's new signing Foderingham
“I've been fortunate to play for teams with a real strong fanbase, a fanbase that's passionate about their club, and West Ham are no different," Foderingham told West Ham's official website. "They're a fanbase that care deeply about their football club, it’s a family club as well, and I find it's always better to play for a team where you have those supporters cheering you on week in, week out.
"Especially in the last few years, the club has had some really good success in Europe and in the Premier League as well. The club has gone from strength to strength and I think I'm joining at a very, very good time as it's a positive time."
Why West Ham signed him
West Ham's technical director Tim Steidten has explained why the club have signed Foderingham, saying: “He’s had an esteemed career to date. I’m sure that under the guidance of Xavi Valero [goalkeeping coach], both Alphonse [Areola] and Lukasz [Fabianski] will benefit greatly from having another established keeper working alongside them on a daily basis.”
Foderingham made 133 Premier League saves last season, the sixth-most among goalkeepers. That total was five fewer than West Ham's first-choice Areola, who played one more match than Foderingham. You can see below how the two new team-mates compared in 2023/24.
Last season, Foderingham became the first ever Premier League monthly award winner for Sheff Utd when he won December 2023's Castrol Save of the Month.
Foderingham, a former England youth international, joined Sheff Utd in 2020 and made 102 appearances for the club. Before that he played for Swindon Town and Rangers, having graduated from Fulham's academy.
He will join West Ham for pre-season. Their first preparation match ahead of 2024/25 is on 20 July against Dagenham & Redbridge. You can see clubs' friendly fixtures, here.
West Ham open their Premier League season at home to Aston Villa on Saturday 17 August.