Joël Veltman joins West Ham after rejecting Botafogo offer

Dutch defender Joël Veltman, 34, has agreed to a contract with West Ham United following his free‑agent status after leaving Brighton & Hove Albion. The former Ajax and Brighton player turned down a proposal from Brazilian side Botafogo and an offer from French club RC Strasbourg, opting instead for a return to England. West Ham, newly relegated to the Championship, have completed his medical examination and are finalising the deal.

Veltman spent six seasons at Brighton, playing 191 official matches after a €1 million transfer from Ajax in 2020. His move to West Ham marks his first club since becoming a free agent, and he remains open to future possibilities, though a return to Ajax was ruled out. The transfer is seen as a boost for West Ham’s defensive options ahead of their campaign in England’s second tier.