Just now: West Ham United have officially announced the signing of talented player Antonín Kinský.
With this mid-window acquisition confirmed moments ago, West Ham United have strengthened their squad with the arrival of highly-rated Czech Republic international Antonín Kinský from Slavia Prague. The 24-year-old defensive midfielder has put pen to paper on a four-and-a-half-year contract, with the option of a further 12 months, in a deal understood to be worth an initial £8 million, rising to £12 million with add-ons. The move represents a significant coup for the Hammers, who beat off competition from several top-flight clubs across Europe to secure the signature of one of the Czech First League’s most sought-after talents.
Kinský’s arrival comes at a crucial time for West Ham, who have been looking to bolster their midfield options following injuries to key players Lucas Paquetá and James Ward-Prowse. The Czech star has built an impressive reputation in his homeland over the past three seasons, making 92 appearances for Slavia Prague and helping the club win two league titles and one domestic cup. His performances also earned him a call-up to the Czech Republic national team in 2023, and he has since won 11 caps, featuring prominently in their UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying campaign.
Standing at 6ft 2in tall, Kinský combines physical presence with technical ability, making him a versatile asset in midfield. Primarily operating as a defensive shield in front of the back four, he excels at breaking up opposition attacks, winning aerial duels and distributing the ball efficiently to start counter-attacks. Last season, he ranked first in the Czech First League for interceptions per game (2.8) and second for tackles won (3.2), while also contributing three goals and four assists – evidence of his ability to influence games at both ends of the pitch. In a statement released by the club, Kinský expressed his excitement at joining West Ham: “This is a dream come true for me. West Ham is a big club with a fantastic history and passionate fans. I’ve watched their games in the Premier League and Europe, and I can’t wait to start contributing to the team’s success.”
West Ham manager David Moyes has been tracking Kinský for over a year and believes the player has all the attributes to succeed in the Premier League. “We’re delighted to bring Antonín to the club,” said Moyes. “We’ve been monitoring his progress closely and have been impressed by his consistency and maturity on the pitch. He’s a strong, intelligent player who will add balance to our midfield and give us more options as we compete on multiple fronts this season. We know he’ll need time to adapt to the pace and physicality of the Premier League, but we’re confident he has what it takes to become an important player for us.”
The signing also aligns with West Ham’s strategy of targeting promising young talent from across Europe, following successful acquisitions like Lucas Paquetá and Mohammed Kudus in recent years. The club’s recruitment team have worked closely with their scouting network in the Czech Republic to ensure a thorough assessment of Kinský’s capabilities, including analyzing his performance data and conducting extensive background checks on his character and work ethic.
Kinský will wear the number 19 shirt for West Ham and is expected to be available for selection for their Premier League clash against Brighton & Hove Albion this weekend, subject to receiving his work permit and international clearance. With the Hammers currently sitting eighth in the league and still in contention for a European place, his arrival provides a timely boost as they look to maintain their momentum through the second half of the season. The signing sends a clear message of intent from the club’s hierarchy, demonstrating their commitment to building a squad capable of competing at the highest level both domestically and in Europe.
