July 05, (THEWILL) – West Ham United have finalised the signing of Wolverhampton Wanderers centre-back, Max Kilman, on a seven-year contract. The deal, reportedly worth £40m, sees the 27-year-old defender reunite with former Wolves manager Julen Lopetegui at the London Stadium.
Kilman, who made 151 appearances for Wolves during his six-year stay, expressed his excitement about joining West Ham. He cited the opportunity to work with Lopetegui again and the club’s ambition as key factors in his decision. The defender also mentioned his eagerness to play in front of 62,500 supporters at the London Stadium.
The England-born defender becomes Lopetegui’s third signing since taking charge at West Ham, following the arrivals of winger Luis Guilherme and goalkeeper Wes Foderingham. Kilman’s transfer marks a return to his birthplace of London, where he will aim to continue his development under Lopetegui’s guidance.
Interestingly, a portion of the transfer fee will benefit Kilman’s former club, Maidenhead United. The National League side is set to receive a multi-million-pound windfall from the deal, providing a significant boost to the fifth-tier outfit.
As West Ham prepare for the 2024/2025 season, the addition of Kilman strengthens their defensive options. The Hammers will hope his experience and leadership, having captained Wolves, will contribute to their ambitions both domestically and in European competitions.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
