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West Ham reach agreement to sign free agent full-back

West Ham are set to sign Kyle Walker-Peters as a free agent following the defender’s departure from Southampton.

Walker-Peters left Southampton following their relegation and the expiry of his contract at St Mary’s. The full-back had been in talks with Turkish Süper Lig side Besiktas, but a deal collapsed after interest emerged from West Ham.

An agreement has now been reached over a three-year contract with Walker-Peters set to become the club’s second major signing of the summer, following a deal for Senegal left-back El Hadji Malick Diouf.

The transfer will see Walker-Peters return to London, having progressed through the academy at Tottenham Hotspur before his move to Southampton in 2020.

His arrival will add depth to Graham Potter’s options at full-back, with Walker-Peters capable of operating on either flank. He has won two caps for England at international level. It’s a crucial addition, given both Diouf and Aaron Wan-Bissaka will depart for the Africa Cup of Nations in December.

Fabrizio Romano has confirmed the details of the deal, which will see Walker-Peters sign a contract until 2028 in the coming days.