BBC pundit thinks West Ham have made a ‘brilliant’ £30m transfer decision

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BBC Sport pundit Steve Brown thinks West Ham United made a ‘brilliant’ decision by signing James Ward-Prowse from Southampton during the summer transfer window.

The 28-year-old left St Mary’s after 20 years following the Saints’ relegation last term. Ward-Prowse had joined Southampton as a youth and progressed to become the club’s captain for three seasons. But West Ham snapped their lengthy bond with a £30m transfer this August.

Irons boss David Moyes took advantage of Southampton falling out of the Premier League to sign Ward-Prowse on a four-year contract. He moved to east London after playing 410 times at the Saints in all competitions. The 11-cap England ace also left on 55 goals and 54 assists.

Ward-Prowse took no time to prove why West Ham signed him

It did not take Ward-Prowse long to open his account with West Ham, either. He has already offered three assists and one goal in three appearances in claret-and-blue. The Portsmouth-born technician recorded two assists on his Hammers debut to help beat rivals, Chelsea, 3-1.

Nayef Aguerd met Ward-Prowse’s corner to break the deadlock against the Blues before the midfielder fed Michail Antonio. Moyes then relished watching Ward-Prowse register his first West Ham goal to break the deadlock at Brighton & Hove Albion as the Irons won 3-1 again.

Ward-Prowse would not let up in his third appearance, either, as Kurt Zouma buried home a header from his corner. The midfielder played a precise delivery into the area at Luton Town on Fright night. Zouma left goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski with zero chance of keeping it out.

Brown thinks Moyes secured a ‘brilliant’ transfer from Southampton

Former Premier League defender Brown believes Ward-Prowse’s early efforts under Moyes prove that West Ham secured a ‘brilliant’ signing with his transfer from Southampton. The ex-Charlton Athletic defender also adds that his set-piece threat, alone, is a great addition.

“I think Ward-Prowse is a brilliant signing,” Brown has told BBC Sport’s The Far Post podcast. “For set-pieces, alone, he is a great signing, and he’s a wonderful football player, as well.”