West Ham figure speaks out as ‘excellent’ player joins after Newcastle United spell
West Ham United have had a chaotic summer in the goalkeeping department.
Mads Hermansen arrived from Leicester City in a £20million deal, while Lukas Fabianski departed after his contract at the London Stadium expired.
However, Fabianski returned to West Ham after the transfer window closed, signing a one-year deal as a third-choice shot-stopper behind Hermansen and Alphonse Areola.
West Ham have made a dreadful start to the season, with a 2-1 home defeat to Crystal Palace on Saturday seeing the pressure on Graham Potter increased yet again.
While the Hammers are currently in trouble, they have made a key move to secure their goalkeeping department for the future.
West Ham sign Reece Byrne after Newcastle United exit
West Ham have signed former Newcastle United goalkeeper Reece Byrne after a successful trial period at the club’s Rush Green training ground.
Byrne has signed a deal until the end of the season, with an option to extend for a further year also included in the deal.
The Irishman started his career at Bohemians before spending the last two seasons on Tyneside, and will continue his recovery from a knee injury that impacted his time at Newcastle before starting life in East London.
Talking to West Ham’s website as news of the deal was confirmed on 26 September, Byrne said: “It’s an absolutely wonderful feeling, it’s hard to put into words.
“I’ve had a tough time with injuries over the last few years, so to be given a chance at such a massive club is something I’ll forever be grateful for. I can’t wait to get started and kick on, hopefully, please God.
“To be back at a club like West Ham, I’m lost for words. I’m quite emotional, because it means that extra bit more. I want it more than I did before. It’s almost like a second coming for me, because six months ago I didn’t know where I was going to be.
Head of Academy goalkeeping Billy Lepine has praised Byrne’s personality and skills as a goalkeeper, and discussed how he can help the development side.
Lepine said: “We’re really impressed with his character, he’s got plenty of experience from the Irish national team and his spells at Bohemians and Newcastle.
“He’s had to show resilience after his injuries, but he’s recovered well and we’re pleased to have him in the group. Having a player who’s dealt with adversity and can share that perspective with the younger lads is very positive.
“As a goalkeeper, he’s clean and decisive with his feet. He can break lines with passes into midfield, he’s got a good range, and as a big lad he’s got excellent reach and the ability to make top saves.”
- Read more: Graham Potter confirms talks with West Ham chiefs in admission on his future – ‘No one is happy’
West Ham need to develop Reece Byrne quickly to phase out deadwood
It is clear that there is a changing of the guard in the goalkeeping department at West Ham, with both Fabianski and Areola now out of the picture in Graham Potter’s squad.
Fabianski is very likely to leave once his new one-year deal is up in the summer, while Areola needs to get game time elsewhere if he ever wishes to challenge for a consistent spot for the French national team.
Most of all, however, the deadwood in the squad needs to be trimmed down over the next few seasons, and while the goalkeeper department isn’t a major priority at the moment, it will become one should Hermansen not develop correctly – as is annoyingly looking like being the case.
It’s going to be a long rebuild at the London Stadium, but young moves like these will drag the Hammers in the right direction.
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