West Ham United Football Club has officially confirmed the signing of France international defender Axel Disasi from fellow Premier League side Chelsea, in a deal set to run until the end of the 2025/26 season . The acquisition marks a key addition to Nuno Espirito Santo’s defensive ranks as the Hammers look to strengthen their back line for the decisive stages of the campaign.
Born in Gonesse, France, on 11 March 1998, Disasi is a 27-year-old central defender with a wealth of top-level experience under his belt . Standing at 1.91m tall, he is a dominant physical presence, excelling in aerial duels and possessing strong reading of the game . He can also be deployed at right-back when needed, adding versatility to West Ham’s defensive options .
Disasi’s football journey began in the youth systems of clubs including Villiers-le-Bel JS, USM Senlis, and Paris FC, where he made his professional debut in 2015 . In 2016, he joined Stade Reims, helping the club win the Ligue 2 title in the 2017/18 season . After four years with Reims, he moved to AS Monaco in 2020, making 99 league appearances and scoring seven goals over three seasons, while also featuring in European competitions .
In the summer of 2023, Disasi joined Chelsea for a reported fee of €45 million, signing a six-year contract . He made an immediate impact, scoring on his Premier League debut in a 1-1 draw with Liverpool . During his time at Stamford Bridge, he made over 40 appearances across all competitions, captaining the side on multiple occasions and winning the UEFA Conference League in the 2024/25 season . In the second half of the 2024/25 season, he spent time on loan at Aston Villa, featuring in both the Premier League and UEFA Champions League .
On the international stage, Disasi has earned five caps for France . He was part of the French squad that finished as runners-up at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, coming on as a substitute in the final against Argentina . He made his full international debut in a group stage match against Tunisia during the tournament .
Speaking about the move, Disasi expressed his excitement at joining West Ham: “I’m very happy to be here, to have this opportunity. I’m just ready to fight and to play games . Everyone knows my situation in the last few months, so I just want to get back on the field, feel the sensation of games and help the team . The club has given me the opportunity to show my quality on the pitch. I spoke with all the people here, and I feel that they really wanted me, so that’s why I’m here today . It’s an exciting challenge. We know that the club is not at the place that it should be, but I’m here to help the team and to bring what I can to achieve our goal .”
The loan deal is a straight temporary arrangement with no obligation or option to buy, allowing West Ham to bolster their squad without long-term financial commitments . With fixtures coming thick and fast, Disasi’s arrival provides much-needed depth and experience to the Hammers’ defensive unit, and he will be looking to make a significant impact during his time at the London Stadium.