West Ham Breaks EFL Transfer Record to Sign Arne
August 18, 2026 ·
West Ham United have broken the EFL transfer record by signing midfielder Arne Engels from Celtic for £22 million. The 22-year-old Belgium international will join the team as they bid to return to the Premier League after being relegated.
West Ham Breaks EFL Transfer Record to Sign Arne
According to Sports.
Background
Arne Engels, who previously played for Celtic, has impressed with 17 goals and 22 assists in 100 appearances. As a 22-year-old Belgian international, he is expected to make a significant contribution to West Ham in their bid to return to the Premier League. The signing also marks an important step in West Ham's player development strategy.
Why this is important
This transfer record shows West Ham United's ambition to immediately return to the Premier League after being relegated. By bringing in Arne Engels, the EFL Championship club not only strengthened their midfield, but also showed confidence in the development of young players. This success can attract the attention of other players in the transfer market, increasing the club's attractiveness in the transfer market.
Main Points
- West Ham Breaks EFL Transfer Record to Sign Arne.
- West Ham United have broken the EFL transfer record by signing midfielder Arne Engels from Celtic for £22 million.
- West Ham break EFL record to sign Engels for £22m - Yahoo Sports.
West Ham United have made new history in the world of English football by breaking the EFL transfer record. The London-based club managed to sign midfielder Arne Engels from Celtic for a fee of £22 million, making it a record transfer fee paid by an EFL Championship club.
Arne Engels, who is a 22-year-old Belgian international, has signed a five-year contract with West Ham. The payment surpasses the previous record set by Ipswich Town, who paid £17.5 million to bring in Norwegian striker Sindre Walle Egeli last year.
After suffering relegation in May, West Ham will begin their first Championship season since 2012 with a game away to Burnley on Sunday. However, Engels will not be able to make his debut until the home derby match against Charlton Athletic at the London Stadium on 22 August.
Engels, who scored 17 goals and provided 22 assists in 100 appearances for Celtic, is West Ham's fourth signing of the transfer window this summer after they also brought in Venezuelan midfielder Keiber Lamadrid, Dutch defender Joel Veltman and Israeli winger Manor Solomon.
West Ham's director of player recruitment, Nils Koppen, told the club's official website: "Arne is a player we have been monitoring for some time and is our main target. As a very young player with a bright future, he has excellent experience and has proven himself at a big club, showing consistency and confidence. Arne has the right traits, both as a player and character, to join what we want to build going forward. He is very motivated to be here for this challenge."
Engels, who has appeared in four matches for the Belgian national team, won back-to-back Scottish Premiership titles with Celtic after joining from Augsburg in August 2024, where he started his career at Club Brugge.
"This is a very interesting project for me to take part in. The aim is to return to the Premier League. That is a big goal. It is up to me to help the team in this way and together with the supporters achieve victory. Hopefully this will be a good year," said Engels.
With the arrival of Engels, West Ham hope to strengthen their squad and compete to return to the Premier League after experiencing a difficult time last season. This transfer record shows the club's commitment to building a competitive and successful team in the future.
What happened next
After this signing, West Ham is expected to take advantage of Engels' ability to score goals and provide assists in the EFL Championship. His eagerly awaited debut against Charlton Athletic will be a landmark moment for both player and club. Apart from that, West Ham will probably continue to be active in the summer transfer market to strengthen their squad further.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is involved in this transfer?
This transfer involves West Ham United and Celtic, as well as player Arne Engels.
Where did Arne Engels come from?
Arne Engels comes from Celtic, where he previously played before joining West Ham.
Why did Arne Engels choose West Ham?
Arne Engels chose West Ham because the club had been monitoring him for some time and made him their main target.
How much is Arne Engels' transfer fee?
Arne Engels' transfer fee is £22 million, which is the highest transfer fee paid by an EFL Championship club.
When will Arne Engels make his debut?
Arne Engels will not be able to make his debut until the home derby against Charlton Athletic on August 22.