Hammers Sign Souček’s Mate

After seeing defender Winston Reid leave earlier this summer, West Ham United have today boosted their defensive ranks by completing the signing of right-back Vladimír Coufal from Slavia Prague for a fee of £5m on an initial three-year deal with the option of a further two years.

Coufal joins former teammate Tomáš Souček in East London and becomes David Moyes’ third signing of the current transfer window.

The Hammers opened talks with Slavia Prague over the transfer on Tuesday, before the player completed his medical on Thursday.

The Czech international will provide cover for Ryan Fredericks, who is currently out until mid-October with a hamstring injury, sustained in last weekend’s 4-0 victory against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Coufal will want to get going straight away and will hope to be in contention for Sunday’s game, as the Hammers make the trip to The King Power Stadium and face the challenge of Leicester City.