Edson Álvarez stays at West Ham, dons number 4 for Championship promotion push

Mexican midfielder Edson Álvarez will remain with West Ham United for the 2026‑27 season after a loan spell at Fenerbahçe. The club confirmed he has switched his squad number from 19 to the previously worn number 4, signalling his commitment to the team’s effort to win promotion back to the Premier League.

Álvarez reportedly told manager Nuno Espírito Santo that he wants to stay and help the Hammers return to the top flight. The £34 million signing, once the most expensive Mexican player, is expected to see his weekly wages reduced as the club competes in the English Championship. West Ham’s first league match of the campaign is against Burnley on 16 August, with Álvarez set to play a key role in midfield.

The club’s objective is an immediate return to the Premier League after finishing 18th last season, and Álvarez’s experience is seen as a vital asset in that pursuit.