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Transfers

Winner named in race for Emmanuel Fejokwu - here's what you need to know on West Ham exit

Pete Hanson
Pete Hanson

Head of Editorial Standards & Recruitment AUTHORITY Former senior digital journalist at Stats Perform; network specialist in live data, editorial standards, and journalist recruitment. FOCUS Editorial standards, Statscore live data integration, newsroom operations, and recruitment. THE BRIEF Pete brings deep data expertise from his time at Stats Perform to oversee the network’s use of Statscore’s live data, setting the standard for how writers use it to produce original editorial content. He is also responsible for maintaining editorial standards and leading recruitment across the network.

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West Ham United teenager Emmanuel Fejokwu has agreed to join Club Brugge, according to Sacha Tavolieri.

The 16-year-old was highly thought of in the Hammers' academy, and it was hoped he would have a bright future at London Stadium.

With an ability to play at both centre-back and left-back, Fejokwu had a high ceiling to be a big player at West Ham.

Such was his potential, the teenager has represented both England and Netherlands at youth level.

However, the Hammers were unable to offer him a professional contract as he does not turn 17 until April 2027.

As such, the Hammers have seen a brightest prospect poached abroad in a new transfer blow.

Will West Ham receive a fee for Emmanuel Fejokwu?

Fejokwu had announced his departure in an emotional post on Instagram this week.

It is always difficult for a club to lose a bright prospect, and Fejokwu was someone earmarked to break into the first team.

Noted journalist Tavolieri has reported that Belgian outfit Club Brugge have signed Fejokwu.

The 16-year-old has agreed a three-year deal to make the switch to the Belgian side.

He added that West Ham will receive training compensation as part of the deal that sees Fejokwu depart.

General shot of a corner flag at West Ham United's London Stadium
What Emmanuel Fejokwu has said on West Ham exit as transfer race now on

Who else was interested in Fejokwu?

While it is a shame to see Fejokwu depart, there was seemingly no shortage of suitors for his signature.

A report from The Talent Hunter back in December last year claimed that Ajax, Utrecht, PSV, Inter Milan, AC Milan, Club Brugge, Copenhagen and Bayer Leverkusen were all monitoring his situation at West Ham.

While it is obviously disappointing from a West Ham standpoint, it is evident that it would have been extremely difficult to keep him in the academy.

WIth the stature of clubs chasing his signature, it was looking an increasingly difficult battle.

West Ham's relegation to from the Premier League last season will not have helped matters, as that would have been a huge bargaining chip.

Ultimately, the teenager has made his decision and done what he feels is best for his career, and you have to respect the choice he has made.

Hopefully it won't be one that comes back to bite West Ham in the future, but it does feel like he has a huge future in front of him.

West Ham United Football Club
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