Max Kilman signs seven-year West Ham deal after leaving Wolves in £40m transfer
West Ham has finished signing Max Kilman from Wolves for £40 million. Kilman, who plays central defense, has signed a contract with the club for seven years.
Kilman previously played for Lopetegui at Molineux and has now joined him at the London Stadium, making him the third player to sign for the Hammers under their new boss. Luis Guilherme and Wes Foderingham have also recently joined the team.
Wolves rejected West Ham's first offer of £25m and insisted on a fee of £40m for their team captain. He had signed a new contract last summer following attention from Napoli.
We recommend using the Chrome browser to watch the video player more easily.
Kilman expressed his excitement about joining West Ham United on their website, stating that he is thrilled to be a part of the team. When he heard that the club was interested in him, he knew it was an opportunity he wanted to explore. Kilman is very happy to have the chance to play for West Ham.
I had a great experience working with Julen during his time at Wolves - he is an excellent coach and I gained valuable knowledge from him. I believe I will keep getting better as a player under his guidance at this team.
West Ham is a huge team and I believe this is the next logical progression in my career. The idea of playing in front of dedicated fans, with 62,500 people filling London Stadium regularly, is something that really excites me.
After having in-depth conversations with both Julen and Tim, the team's sporting director, I was extremely excited about the club's aspirations and their vision for the future. They are determined to make a significant impact at West Ham, and as a newcomer to the team, it is inspiring to hear such ambitious goals.
I am eager to start working and getting ready for an upcoming season full of excitement.
Kilman is departing Wolves after being with them for six years. He first joined the team from Maidenhead for £40,000 in August 2018. The National League team will also benefit from a large sell-on fee.
Steidten expressed his excitement about signing Max. He was a priority for us in the central defense position during this transfer window, so we are thrilled to finalize the deal and welcome him to West Ham United.
This is a significant and important moment for West Ham United - they have signed a experienced, reliable central defender from the English Premier League who is in the prime of his career.
He has a lot of amazing characteristics as a defender. He is a sturdy and robust center back, with the necessary qualities for leading in that position on the field.
"Julen and I have had extensive discussions about the types of players we want to bring to West Ham and Max is exactly what we're looking for."
Max's arrival demonstrates the board's desire to bring top players to the football club. I'm certain that West Ham supporters are just as thrilled as we are about this new addition to the team.
West Ham To Sign New Centre-back?
West Ham might need to find two new central defenders this summer, as Nayef Aguerd's future with the club is unsure due to interest from Saudi Arabia, and Angelo Ogbonna has departed after his contract ended.
There are ongoing talks within the team about whether to make another offer for Nice defender Jean-Clair Todibo, as their initial bid of €30m (£25.4m) was turned down by the French club.
West Ham is currently negotiating with Lyon for the transfer of Republic of Ireland national team defender Jake O'Brien.
In the previous month, the Hammers' attempt to sign Flamengo defender Fabricio Bruno fell through due to issues with personal negotiations.
Potential Impact Of Kilman's Sell-On Fee On Maidenhead
Peter Griffin, the chairman of Maidenhead, said to Sky Sports News that the clause included in the transfer agreement for Kilman to join Wolves could have a significant impact on the future direction of the club.
"I am extremely proud," Griffin said after Kilman's transfer to West Ham. "While Max was playing for our team, we recognized his potential, but honestly, I never realized just how great his talent truly was."
His mindset has really propelled him forward and we couldn't be happier for his success.
"We always discuss the price and include a sell-on clause as well. Occasionally, this strategy proves to be successful. It's safe to say that this is a significant agreement."
This sum of money has the potential to greatly impact the direction of the club. We are a team that only plays part-time in the National League, but we also have a women's team, a girls' development squad, an academy, and a community program.
The funds coming in will not only impact the men's main team but also have an influence on the women's team, our initiatives within the community, and the overall infrastructure.
Summer Transfer Window Opening And Closing Dates?
The 2024 summer transfer market in the Premier League and Scottish Premiership has now begun.
The deadline to submit entries is August 30 at 11pm in England and 11.30pm in Scotland.
The Premier League and Scottish Premiership moved their Deadline Day earlier to align with the other big leagues in Europe. The dates were decided after talking with the leagues in England, Germany, Italy, Spain, and France.
