West Ham ‘agree deal to sign Chelsea midfield prodigy Pierre Ekwah and will announce the 19-year-old’s arrival on Wednesday’ after the former France youth international scored as a trialist against Arsenal Under-23s
- Pierre Ekwah joined Chelsea in 2018 – with his current contract expiring on 1 July
- West Ham have signed the 19-year-old, who scored for the Irons in a trial game
- Ekwah converted Andriy Yarmolenko’s cross to net against Arsenal Under-23s
- The midfielder played seven Premier League 2 games for the Blues last season
Chelsea teenager Pierre Ekwah has reportedly agreed to join London rivals West Ham.
The defensive midfielder, who joined the Blues in 2018 for £1.8million from Nantes, sees his contract run out at Stamford Bridge on 1 July and will be announced as an Irons player when the transfer window officially opens on Wednesday after impressing on trial, according to Sky Sports via The Sun.
Ekwah moved up to the Under-23s last summer and scored one goal in seven Premier League 2 games in the 2020/21 campaign as Chelsea finished second in the Division One table, failing to defend their title as Manchester City won the league by 14 points.
Pierre Ekwah will reportedly be unveiled by West Ham when the transfer window opens
Ekwah scored once in seven Premier League 2 games last season as Chelsea finished second
The 19-year-old also netted for the Hammers as a trialist against Arsenal Under-23s last month, getting on the end of a cross from first-team regular Andriy Yarmolenko on 87 minutes to make it 2-1. The game finished 2-2.
Ekwah was asked last year about the main differences between his experiences at Chelsea and Nantes.
‘The big difference is the way the football is played – the English style of football is different to the French type.
‘In England it’s more intense and physical compared to France – the training at Academy level became more intense when I moved here.
‘The weather, ah the weather! It’s alright, I’m fine with it, but not at winter time – that’s the worst time to be in England.
On his versatility, Ekwah said: ‘I did play left wing when I was younger, but I grew and didn’t fit in there so they changed me to left-back.
The France youth international can be used either as a defensive midfielder or as a centre back
‘I did well when I played in that position but after I moved to Nantes I played centre-back with them, the national team and Chelsea.
‘But I’ve always wanted to play as a midfielder, like I do now. I’m happy to play in midfield now it’s where I can express myself on the pitch.’
Ekwah has 13 caps for France’s Under-16s.