While the transfer window may be firmly shut, that hasn’t stopped West Ham United from adding to their ranks behind the scenes.
The Hammers were one of the busier Premier League sides in January, bringing in five new faces in a bid to turn their season around. Signings such as Taty Castellanos and Axel Disasi have already played key roles in the club’s recent improvement in form.
However, despite the window being closed, West Ham have now quietly completed another addition — this time for the future.
West Ham Sign Jack Tomlin
London Stadium. (Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
West Ham have secured the signing of former Arsenal youth goalkeeper Jack Tomlin.
According to Arsenal Insider, the 16-year-old shot-stopper was informed late last year that he would not be offered a scholarship by Arsenal, prompting him to look elsewhere to continue his development.
Tomlin had previously been involved with the Gunners’ Under-18 side, making the bench for matches against West Bromwich Albion, Southampton and Fulham. After leaving North London, he has now been handed a fresh opportunity across the capital with West Ham.
The young goalkeeper was already named among the substitutes for West Ham’s Under-18 clash with Crystal Palace last week and will now aim to progress through the club’s academy system at the London Stadium.
One for the Future as Goalkeeping Questions Remain
At just 16, Tomlin is naturally a long-term project rather than a player expected to challenge for first-team minutes any time soon.
His arrival does come at a time when West Ham’s senior goalkeeping situation has been far from settled. Nuno Espírito Santo has rotated between Alphonse Areola and summer signing Mads Hermansen throughout the campaign as the team search for consistency between the posts.
Hermansen in particular has faced scrutiny after a difficult start following his move from Leicester City, although his display in the recent 1-0 win over Fulham was arguably his best performance yet in claret and blue.
Tomlin will not solve those issues immediately, but he represents an investment in the club’s future.
Regardless of whether West Ham remain in the Premier League or suffer relegation, strengthening the goalkeeping department at senior level is still likely to be a priority when the summer transfer window arrives.