Mads Hermansen Signs For West Ham United In £18m Transfer From Leicester City

West Ham United signed Danish goalkeeper Mads Hermansen from Leicester City for £18 million. He signed a five-year contract, with an option for another year, and will wear the number 1 shirt.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Hermansen, 25, moved to West Ham after two strong seasons with Leicester City. This makes him their fourth signing of the summer. New head coach Graham Potter wanted a reliable goalkeeper and signed Hermansen despite interest from other clubs. Originally, West Ham were in talks with Botafogo for John Victor; however, they chose Hermansen after changing their plans and hiring fellow Dane Casper Ankergren as goalkeeping coach. Ankergren’s history with Hermansen at Brøndby helped make the transfer happen. The club hopes this move strengthens the squad for the challenging Premier League season ahead.

WHY THIS TRANSFER MATTERS

Hermansen is expected to help West Ham improve from last season’s mid-table finish. Leicester City, meanwhile, lost their main goalkeeper after finishing 18th and being relegated from the Premier League last season. Potter believes Hermansen’s shot-stopping and distribution skills fit the team’s style well. The new signing will compete with West Ham’s current goalkeepers, providing the needed depth. Hermansen said he is excited to join and feels ready for the Premier League challenge.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR WEST HAM AND HERMANSEN?

West Ham will start the 2025/26 Premier League season against Sunderland. Last season, the Hammers finished 10th, 12 points behind the last European qualification spot. Sunderland is back into the Premier League, so the opener is a tough test for Potter’s new team. Hermansen is expected to be in the starting lineup and aims to make an immediate impact. West Ham hopes to move up the table or even compete for a European place. Meanwhile, Leicester needs a new number 1 goalkeeper for their Championship campaign as they aim to gain promotion after being relegated last season.