Frederik Alves has completed a permanent move from West Ham to Danish side Brondby on deadline day, penning a contract until the summer of 2026. The Danish defender only joined West Ham 12 months ago, in January 2021.
The 22-year-old defender failed to make a single senior appearance since swapping Silkeborg for West Ham – instead playing 12 times for the club’s Under-23 times. He went on loan to Sunderland in the first half of this term.
But he only managed nine appearances and was brought back to the club earlier this month. Now, he has left the Hammers permanently to join Brondby. His new side sit third in the Danish Superliga, five behind first.
The defender took to Instagram to underline his delight at returning to Denmark, but with one of the nation’s biggest sides. A signing made by David Moyes, it simply has not worked out for the Denmark U21 star.
Alves reacts after Brondby move: The right move from West Ham?
It is a strange one. West Ham are currently lacking in options in the middle of their defence, with Angelo Ogbonna ruled out until the end of the season. Kurt Zouma only just returned from injury.
Talks to sign Marseille’s Duje Caleta-Car have stalled, with the Hammers said to be keen on a centre-back. So, is the decision to cash in on Alves the right decision? When he joined, he was a player with a huge promise.
But his loan at Sunderland was clearly telling. Failing to break into a League One side’s starting line-up, at 22, is clearly not the required standard. Alves also sent a parting message to West Ham, on his story.
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