West Ham have sealed the signing of free agent ex-Brighton defender Joel Veltman.
The 34-year-old has penned a one-year contract to bolster Nuno Espirito Santo’s options ahead of the Championship season.
Veltman left Brighton earlier this summer after rejecting a new contract to pursue opportunities elsewhere and penned an emotional farewell letter on social media.
The former Ajax full-back, who has been training with reserve side Jong Ajax in recent weeks, made 191 appearances for the Seagulls across six years, helping them qualify for European football for the first time in the club’s history during the 2022/23 season.
Under Fabian Hurzeler’s management, Brighton qualified for the Conference League last term after finishing eighth in the Premier League.
“I’m delighted to have signed, and I can’t wait to get started,” said Veltman. “The project here really excites me.
“I spoke to Nuno, as well as my family and my agent, and everything added up. We know that West Ham need to be in the Premier League, and for sure that is our goal for the season.
“I think I bring my experience, my winning mentality and togetherness. I bring leadership - I’ve been the captain at Ajax, and I enjoy talking to my teammates and using my experience to help the squad.
“I’m just so excited to give everything, to meet my new teammates and to see all the supporters too.”
West Ham are looking to bring in several new signings before the close of the transfer window following the departures of Crysencio Summerville and Mateus Fernandes for combined fees in the region of £145million.
They have already activated their £1m option to make Venezuelan winger Keiber Lamadrid’s loan from Deportivo La Guaira permanent, and are in talks over a move for Celtic midfielder Arne Engels.
Standard Sport reported earlier this week that West Ham had enquired about a deal for Engels, and while negotiations are not yet advanced, the Hammers are expected to push for his signing.
West Ham are in the market for a new midfielder after sanctioning the £85m departure of Fernandes to rivals Tottenham earlier in the window.
Mexico captain Edson Alvarez is also reportedly on the move and has attracted interest from both Real Sociedad and Ajax.
