West Ham sign Leeds United striker Joel Piroe on season-long loan
West Ham have signed striker Joel Piroe from Leeds United on a season-long loan deal that includes an obligation to buy if they secure an immediate return to the Premier League.
The 27-year-old will take the vacant number nine shirt at the London Stadium as the Hammers attempt to rebuild their attacking line.
The Suriname international arrives with a formidable reputation in the second tier, having scored 73 goals across four Championship campaigns.
Championship pedigree
During the 2024-25 season, the prolific forward finished as the division’s top scorer with 19 strikes as Leeds secured the league title.
He initially made his mark in British football by netting 44 times in two seasons for Swansea City after leaving PSV Eindhoven in 2021.
Following a subsequent move to Elland Road in 2023, the versatile attacker added another 33 goals to his tally to help guide the Yorkshire club back to the top flight.
Clear ambitions at the London Stadium
Piroe is now aiming to replicate that exact promotion success under new West Ham head coach Nuno Espirito Santo.
“It’s a joy to have got everything over the line,” Piroe said.
“I’m delighted to be here and I’m ready to go.”
“I see West Ham as a club that really wants to be in the Premier League, and I think should be in the Premier League.”
“With my experience, I think I can help the club a lot to achieve what they want to achieve.”
A crucial addition to the squad
The former PSV prospect revealed that positive discussions with Espirito Santo and director of player recruitment Nils Koppen convinced him to make the switch.
Koppen believes the capture of such a proven goalscorer will significantly boost the club’s attacking output during a demanding promotion campaign.
“Joel has proven experience and success in the Championship and is someone who loves scoring goals,” Koppen stated.
“But more importantly, he is hungry, ambitious and really wants to be here to embrace the challenge in front of us.”