West Ham have completed the signing of Joel Veltman on a one-year contract, adding further depth and experience to Nuno Espirito Santo's squad as the club prepares for the upcoming season.
The 34-year-old defender arrives as a free agent after leaving Brighton & Hove Albion this summer, having turned down a new contract at the Amex Stadium to seek a fresh challenge elsewhere. Veltman had spent six years with the Seagulls, making 191 appearances and playing a key role in the club's rise to prominence, including their first-ever qualification for European competition during the 2022/23 campaign. Brighton went on to reach the Conference League last season under manager Fabian Hurzeler after finishing eighth in the Premier League.
Following his exit from Brighton, Veltman had been training with the club's reserve side, Jong Ajax, while weighing up his next move. The former Ajax academy product, who also captained the Dutch giants earlier in his career, has now put pen to paper with West Ham, bringing a wealth of experience to the club's backline options.
Speaking after finalising the move, Veltman expressed his excitement about the new challenge.