West Ham finalised a deal to sign Joel Piroe on loan from Leeds United with an obligation to buy if they get promoted to the Premier League this season.
Piroe is a proven goalscorer in the Championship and hopes to score the goals that would not only help West Ham get straight back up but also earn him a permanent move to the London Stadium.
The Surinam forward will also link up with former Leeds teammate Manor Solomon, who joined the Hammers from London rivals Tottenham earlier in the summer.
He also played a major role in getting Leeds promoted and will look to do the same with West Ham. However, Solomon has already earned some headlines for a very different reason.
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West Ham urge fans to stop a divisive chant in support of Manor Solomon
The Hammers have sold out their 62,500-seater London Stadium for their first home game of the season in the Championship against Charlton Athletic this weekend.
However, West Ham have raised concerns over some of the chants from supporters welcoming new signing Manor Solomon, including one with an anti-Palestinian message.
A divisive song has gained traction among the West Ham fans, and the club have urged the supporters to refrain from singing that chant inside the stadium.
In a statement issued on the club’s official website, West Ham said: “The Club is aware of an offensive and divisive chant, containing an anti-Palestine message, being sung by a section of away supporters during our opening EFL Championship match at Burnley on Sunday afternoon.
“We understand that singing and chanting is a traditional and deeply embedded part of the matchday experience.
“We encourage our supporters to sing loud and proud about their football club and the players wearing the claret and blue shirt – but never in a way that creates division or causes offence among fellow fans.”
Solomon and Piroe are proven performers in the Championship
West Ham do not want to spend more than one season in the Championship, but are aware how difficult the second tier can be for even big clubs.
The club have focused on securing deals for players who are proven Championship performers with experience of securing promotion to the Premier League.
Piroe was the top scorer in the Championship when Leeds earned promotion, and Solomon was one of the biggest creative outlets of that team.
Securing both players shows West Ham are aware of what they need to get out of the Championship in their first attempt.
