Dan-Axel Zagadou has joined Bundesliga outfit Stuttgart on a free transfer after West Ham United reportedly offered the former Borussia Dortmund defender a four-year deal at the Premier League outfit, per the club’s official website.
Perhaps, with Craig Dawson sticking around for the time being, with Nayef Aguerd recovering from ankle surgery, West Ham didn’t need another centre-half after all.
Despite finding themselves in the relegation zone heading into the September international break, the Hammers have conceded just nine goals in seven games; a superior defensive record than sixth-place Fulham and ninth-place Brentford for instance. Chelsea have let in just one more. Manchester City two more.
Thilo Kehrer and Kurt Zouma already appear to have struck up the basis of an excellent defensive partnership. £27 million summer signing Aguerd, meanwhile, should return sooner rather than later. Moyes has plenty of problems to solve, but the centre of defence is at least one area that continues to instil plenty of confidence.
There should not be too much frustration, then, as Zagadou completes his return to the Bundesliga.
West Ham United reportedly wanted Stuttgart’s Dan-Axel Zagadou
“Daxo brings all the prerequisites that a top central defender needs,” explains Stuttgart director Sven Mislintat; having tied the one-time PSG youngster down to a long-term contract at the Mercedes Benz Arena.
“He’s athletically strong. He has a good passing game and has gained valuable experience at national and international level in recent years. He knows the Bundesliga and will need little time to integrate with us.
“With his signing, we were able to fill a in the defensive area with an excellent player. We are very pleased that Daxo has chosen us and welcome him warmly to VfB.”
According to RMC Sport, West Ham recently offered Zagadou a four-year deal at the London Stadium. The 23-year-old Frenchman would likely have been a back-up option rather than a regular starter, however. The strength in depth available to Moyes becomes apparent when you consider that, when Aguerd if fit, neither Zouma nor Kehrer are absolutely guaranteed a place in the first XI.
“I’m very happy to be here (at Stuttgart),” Zagadou add. “I’d like to thank those in charge at VfB for the faith they’ve shown in me. I’m really looking forward to being out on the pitch with my new team-mates soon.”
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