Credit: Imago

Daniel Davis

Wed 11 March 2026 16:10, UK

West Ham United raised eyebrows with the signing of Keiber Lamadrid in January.

The 22-year-old winger arrived at the London Stadium on loan until the end of the season from Venezuelan side Deportivo La Guaira and initially went into the academy set-up.

Lamadrid has so far been made to be patient under Nuno Espirito Santo since joining, playing once at the senior level, and is yet to make his Premier League bow.

However, Crysencio Summerville’s injury blow has opened up competition for places, and the forgotten man may be given the chance to stake his claim for a permanent move.

What can Keiber Lamadrid bring to West Ham?

Venezuelan international Lamadrid is primarily a left winger, and played there during his first-team debut against Burton Albion in the FA Cup on February 14.

The exact reasons behind his arrival in East London were not exactly clear, although Nuno was known to be determined to add more depth to his squad to bolster their survival fight.

However, the forward showed more than enough at his previous club to suggest he can make an impact in the Premier League, especially with Summerville out for several weeks.

Lamadrid first focused on his match sharpness following the conclusion of Deportivo La Guaira’s campaign in early December, but should now be ready to feature in Nuno’s plans.

His Sofascore statistics suggest the head coach should take a punt on him.

Indeed, Lamadrid made 33 appearances last season, scoring eight goals and registering six assists, and was a regular thorn in the side of his opponents.

From a wide position, he chalked up an average of 1.9 shots per game and created seven big chances. Demonstrating a cool head, the ace also boasted an 83 per cent pass accuracy.

A tricky livewire, Lamadrid’s 55 per cent dribble success rate points to a player who relishes taking on his man, while he is also adept at winning fouls and slowing play down.

Despite standing at just 5ft 8in, he more than holds his own in duels, having won 49 per cent last season, including 50 per cent on the ground.

The overall picture, then, proves he is an unpredictable, albeit relatively unknown, talent, and this could make him West Ham’s secret weapon until the end of the season.

What have West Ham said about Lamadrid?

Lamadrid’s agent, Karim Assafo, insisted that he was brought in to be a first-team signing, putting to bed speculation that he would instead spend the campaign with the Under-21s.

However, it took him just a matter of weeks to make an impression on figures at the London Stadium.

West Ham’s fitness coaches have been in contact with their counterparts at Deportivo La Guaira to discuss the signing’s progress, and their reports were glowing.

Alexis Jordan, Deportivo’s youth academy coordinator, told the Fernando Petrocelli y la Ruta Vinotinto YouTube channel: “We are surprised.

“Karim [Assafo] will tell you, but the West Ham fitness coaches are already in contact with ours. They are pleasantly surprised by his physical balance and his test results.”

Nuno would do well to take note of the promising feedback and put his trust in Lamadrid, who will surely grasp his big opportunity with both hands.