By Kris Gonzo | Senior West Ham Columnist (Follow on X)
West Ham United have added another member of staff to the recruitment team in an effort to get players signed before the Championship campaign begins.
Following the appointment of Nils Koppen as Recruitment Director, it would seem that Ben Chorley is now being utilised as an adviser to the recruitment team, according to information passed on to Claret & Hugh today.
It is understood the Hammers are particularly interested in Chorley’s knowledge of the Championship, and he has been tasked with identifying players who would be comfortable in the division as West Ham continue their summer recruitment drive.
Experienced recruitment operator
Chorley is a former professional footballer who is currently without a club after leaving his position as Head of UK Scouting for Sport Republic and Southampton at the end of June 2026.
He came through Arsenal’s academy before enjoying a lengthy career as a centre-back in the lower leagues.
After retiring from playing, Chorley moved into football recruitment and governance, building experience across several senior roles.
He spent three years working within the Sport Republic group, initially serving as Sporting Director at French side Valenciennes before becoming Head of UK Scouting at Southampton in August 2025. He left that position in June this year.
Before that, Chorley worked at Swindon Town, joining as Chief Scout in 2018 before returning as Director of Football in July 2021, where he worked alongside head coach Ben Garner to build a squad capable of challenging for the play-offs.
Championship knowledge valued
It is our understanding that Chorley has joined West Ham on an initial part-time advisory basis in the short term, adding further Championship experience to the club’s recruitment operation.
His arrival is another indication that the club are continuing to strengthen the football department behind the scenes following a number of structural changes this summer, with Koppen now overseeing recruitment as the Hammers prepare for life in the Championship under Nuno Espírito Santo.
With the transfer window still open, West Ham will hope Chorley’s experience and knowledge of the division can help identify players capable of making an immediate impact as we push for promotion back to the Premier League.
And there was me hoping we were concentrating on recruiting from the Championship and League 1 and not unrealistic targets from major european leagues. Turns out we were concentrating on recruiting someone who had some knowledge of where we should be recruiting from. So that’s alright then, it’s only August on Saturday.
Nuno has got Silva.
Koppen has got Chorley.
Kretinsky has got Svarc.
Sullivan had Brady.
Mendes has got Cardoso.
Who says two heads are better than one.
Perhaps Chorley can have a word with Harwood-Bellis.
Doesn’t bode well for Koppen.
let’s hope he wasn’t scouting for them from behind bushes last season!