It’s something that will come as no surprise to West Ham fans, who have long suspected the club of failing to perform proper due diligence when signing players with questionable injury records. Whether it’s the big-money arrival of Andy Carroll, the expensive free transfer of Freddie Ljungberg or the more recent acquisition of Niclas Füllkrug, the Hammers have a shocking record of signing off on crocked players.
So it will come as little surprise to discover that just over a year ago, West Ham signed Irish striker Evan Ferguson on loan knowing full well he would not be able to play a full game for six weeks. The update has come from a source speaking directly to Claret & Hugh, who revealed the full, damning details of a transfer the club were explicitly warned not to complete.
“Ferguson was injured before he signed for West Ham and everybody knew it. He’d played 20 minutes for Brighton just before joining but was still not able to complete full training sessions.”
Niclas Fullkrug has spent most of his West Ham career injured
A decision that defied all logic
When we asked if West Ham were duped into signing Ferguson, C&H were told the Hammers signed the 20-year-old fully aware of his lack of fitness.
“Brighton told West Ham that the lad would not be fit to play a full game for at least six weeks. He wasn’t ready and never really got fit.”
When we asked why he had been signed given his condition, we were told simply:
“West Ham were desperate. They were warned against it.”
The revelation is yet another damning insight into how poorly West Ham’s recruitment has been handled in recent years. At the time, the club were without injured Michail Antonio, Jarrod Bowen and Niclas Füllkrug, so it defies belief that the board sought to cover an injury crisis by signing another injured player.
West Ham boss Potter barely used Ferguson
At the time, Irons fans were understandably baffled as to why Graham Potter wasn’t selecting Ferguson despite the lack of attacking options, but the truth explains everything.
It’s a situation the club cannot afford to repeat—but as seen with the Kalvin Phillips saga the season before, West Ham’s hierarchy remain more than capable of wasting huge sums of money on loan deals that never had a chance of working out.
Think he managed to score for RO Ireland whilst waiting to play for West Ham.
Deemed fit for purpose in Dublin.
I look forward to the day when the Baroness and shorty Foxtrot Oscar
Mickey Mouse
This is precisely why Sullivan & Brady need to clear off – the way the club is “run” it’s a wonder we’re not in the National League.
Incompetence doesn’t do them justice.
🎪🤡🤹🤡🎪
Unfortunately it will continue to repeat itself until a certain man keeps his nose out of transfer dealings but that will never happen while he is still at the club