Why West Ham are closer to Joel Veltman deal than first thought as contract details shared

Joel Veltman had reportedly been heading for a West Ham United medical.

The 34-year-old right-back is a free agent following his departure from Brighton earlier this summer.

As West Ham plot their first transfer breakthrough of the summer, reports on Wednesday suggested that he could well provide that for the Hammers.

Veltman had been with Brighton since the summer of 2020, and played over 190 times for the Seagulls.

He's played an important part in helping Brighton transition into the top Premier League side they now are, and still should have plenty to offer at this stage of his career.

And so, as West Ham fans continue to wait for their first new signing of the summer, they may not have to wait for very much longer at all.

What sort of contract will Joel Veltman sign at West Ham?

A report from The West Ham Way on Wednesday claimed that Veltman was a player that West Ham were looking to sign.

It was stated in that report that the free agent full-back was expected to undergo a medical, but it wasn't revealed when that would be.

Now, in an X post from Netherlands-based Voetbal International reporter Joost Blaauwhof on Wednesday evening, he claims that Veltman has indeed already completed his West Ham medical.

He states that the 28-cap Netherlands international will sign with the Hammers once all the details are completed in his contract.

Blaauwhof claims that it will be a short-term deal for Veltman, with the deal now very close to being completed.

But what sort of experience will Veltman bring to the London Stadium, and what sort of defender is he?

West Ham to get multiple title-winner in Veltman

Having made his ascension from academy football to senior action in the 2012-13 season, Veltman has only ever known to clubs: Ajax and Brighton.

Veltman first joined Ajax's fabled youth system in 2001, and progressed through the ranks with the Dutch giants before making his competitive first-team debut in 2012.

From there, he went on to make 246 appearances for the Amsterdam outfit, winning four Eredivisie titles (Dutch first division), two Super Cups and one KNVB Cup.

He was also named to the Eredivisie Team of the Year on three occasions, was a runner-up in the 2016-17 Europa League and was part of the Netherlands side that finished third at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Meanwhile, he joined Brighton off the back of the Seagulls' 15th-placed finish in the Premier League during the 2019-20 season.

During his six seasons at the Amex, he was part of Brighton teams that finished 16th, ninth, sixth, 11th and eighth twice respectively, leaving them in a far better position than when he joined.

So, he will bring bags of experience to Nuno Espirito Santo's squad, and should be a very shrewd acquisition on a free transfer.