West Ham United have confirmed the signing of Jol Veltman, with both sides agreeing to a one-year cooperation agreement.

West Ham United have officially announced the completion of a major signing, officially acquiring Dutch defender Jørgen Veltman. This experienced defender previously played for Ajax and Brighton, accumulating over 450 appearances in all top competitions, including 165 Premier League matches and over 50 European appearances. He also captained both clubs, renowned for his excellent leadership and extensive experience.  

At the national team level, Jørgen Veltman made 28 international appearances for the Netherlands, helping them reach the semi-finals of the 2014 World Cup. He also represented the Netherlands at Euro 2020, gaining valuable experience in major international tournaments.  

During his time at Ajax, Joel Veltman helped the team win three Eredivisie titles and reach the Europa League final. He then joined Brighton, where he enjoyed six successful seasons. Now, the experienced defender will bring his match experience, leadership qualities, and professionalism to West Ham United.  

Joel Veltman has officially signed a one-year contract with West Ham United, with an option to extend for another year. After completing the signing, Veltman said: "I am very happy to be a part of West Ham United. I can't wait to start this new journey, and I am very excited about the club's future plans."  

“I had in-depth conversations with Nuno Espirito Santo, his family, and his agent, which made me even more certain that coming here was the right choice. Everyone knows that West Ham United is a Premier League club, and our goal this season is to do our best to help the team return to the top flight.”  

“Nuno Espirito Santo’s assessment of me is very positive. I have played against teams he has managed in the past, so I am familiar with his coaching style. He also explained to me in detail the responsibilities and roles he hopes I will play in the team. Our communication went very smoothly, and it makes me even more excited for our future collaboration.”  

“I believe my experience, competitive spirit, and teamwork will be helpful to the team. At the same time, I also hope to leverage my leadership skills. I was captain at Ajax, so I’m used to communicating with my teammates and using my experience to help the team grow. Now I can’t wait to get into training, meet my new teammates, and look forward to meeting the fans as soon as possible.”  

Speaking about the phenomenon of more than 50,000 fans buying season tickets for the new season, Joel Veltman said: "I am very impressed by this support. I have never experienced anything like it before. It fully demonstrates the close connection between the club and the fans. Everyone has a common goal, which is to help the team return to the Premier League."  

“In the Netherlands, we often call the fans the ‘twelfth man’ because their support for the team is like having an extra player on the field. Their cheers and encouragement motivate us to keep fighting, whether it’s defense, tackling, or teamwork. All we can do is give it our all in the game and respond to their support with our actions.”  

"Giving my all has always been my attitude towards the game, and it's also a characteristic of my personality. No matter what the situation, everyone can see my commitment and fighting spirit on the field. I can't wait to meet the fans at the London Stadium and away games, and I believe the upcoming experience will be very exciting."  

Image source: Internet/West Ham United official website