West Ham United have concluded the acquisition of goalkeeper Mads Hermansen from Leicester City for £20 million, the London club announced on Friday.
The 25-year-old Danish senior international has formalised a five-year deal, inclusive of a unilateral extension for a sixth year. Negotiations, which extended over several weeks, reached a conclusion on Thursday, as reported by BBC Sport.
Hermansen’s transfer follows a distinguished spell with Leicester, where he recorded 72 competitive appearances. Last term, he was instrumental in securing the Championship title, notwithstanding the disappointment of the club’s relegation from the Premier League the preceding year. His sustained level of performance attracted the attention of multiple Premier League and continental clubs, yet West Ham maintained priority throughout the process.
Hermansen’s integration at London Stadium rectifies the vacancy created by the departure of Polish goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski, who exited at the conclusion of the prior campaign. He will contend for starting duties with French international Alphonse Areola, who featured in 26 league fixtures for the 2024-25 season.
The deal further reunites Hermansen with goalkeeping coach Casper Ankergren, who previously held the same position at Brøndby and is now a member of head coach Graham Potter’s staff at West Ham.
Leicester are preparing for a period of substantial transition following relegation. Wilfred Ndidi has completed a transfer to Besiktas, concluding a distinguished eight-and-a-half-year tenure at King Power Stadium. Marti Cifuentes, appointed as head coach in the wake of the club’s setback, will oversee the team’s Championship debut at Sheffield Wednesday on Sunday.
Hermansen’s signing indicates that West Ham are focused on enhancing the bench as the campaign approaches. The dynamics of the goalkeeping position have tightened considerably, and how the selection evolves between him and Areola will be determined as the fixtures accumulate.
