‘It Felt Like a Good Match’ – Joel Piroe Gives First Words After West Ham United Move
Joel Piroe believes West Ham United could be the “good match” he has been looking for after completing his loan move from Leeds United.
The 27-year-old striker was handed just two Premier League starts last season, with his limited opportunities increasing speculation that he could leave Elland Road.
Piroe had initially made it clear that he wanted to remain at Leeds, but after it became apparent during pre-season that he had not moved up the pecking order, a summer departure began to look increasingly likely.
The forward has now made his return to the Championship, joining West Ham on a season-long loan deal that includes an obligation to buy if the Hammers secure promotion back to the Premier League.
Joel Piroe explains why West Ham move appealed to him
Speaking after completing his move, Piroe admitted he was delighted to get the deal over the line and believes West Ham’s ambitions made the club an ideal destination.
“It’s a joy to have got everything over the line,” he told West Ham’s website. “I’m delighted to be here and I’m ready to go.
“I see West Ham as a club that really wants to be in the Premier League, and I think should be in the Premier League.
“With my experience, I think I can help the club a lot to achieve what they want to achieve, and I think it’s a good opportunity for me to show what I’ve learnt and how I’ve grown as a football player over the years.
“Director of player recruitment Nils Koppen and head coach Nuno Espírito Santo have both been very clear about what the goals for the club are, both in the short term and in the long term.
“They talked to me about how they see the team being set up, and it felt like a good match for me. I’m just really looking forward to joining the group, and working with the other guys on the grass.”
West Ham land a ‘hungry’ goalscorer
Although Piroe found regular Premier League football difficult to come by, he enjoyed an impressive campaign in the Championship last season.
The striker was Leeds’ leading scorer during their title-winning 2025/26 campaign, finishing with 19 goals as the Whites secured an immediate return to the Premier League.
Now, West Ham will be hoping he can reproduce that Championship form and fire them towards promotion.
“We are really pleased to welcome Joel to West Ham United,” Koppen said.
“He is another player with proven experience and success in the EFL Championship, someone with great finishing ability, who loves scoring goals.
“But more importantly, he is hungry, ambitious and really wants to be here to embrace the challenge that we have in front of us.
“Joel will add further quality and strength to our attacking options on the pitch, and is ready to begin making a positive impact straight away.”
Piroe’s arrival gives Nuno Espírito Santo another attacking option as West Ham look to mount a serious promotion challenge, while the striker has the opportunity to revive his career after a frustrating spell in the Premier League with Leeds.