---
title: "Joel Veltman reveals why West Ham project convinced him to leave Brighton"
canonical: "https://readwestham.com/2026/08/15/joel-veltman-reveals-why-west-ham-project-convinced-him-to-leave-brighton/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "James Chettle"
section: "West Ham News"
published: "2026-08-15T08:03:00Z"
modified: "2026-08-15T08:03:00Z"
---

# Joel Veltman reveals why West Ham project convinced him to leave Brighton

**Joel Veltman has revealed that West Ham United’s size and ambition convinced him to make the move to east London, despite the defender having the option to remain at Brighton & Hove Albion.**

The **Joel Veltman West Ham** move ended a six-year spell on the south coast, with the experienced Dutchman choosing Nuno Espírito Santo’s Championship project as the next stage of his career.

Speaking to [Chris Reidy](https://x.com/chrisreidy1), Veltman said he could have stayed at Brighton but was attracted by the scale of West Ham and what the club are trying to build.

> Joel Veltman says he could’ve stayed at Brighton, but the size of West Ham and their project convinced him to join.[@chrisreidy1](https://x.com/chrisreidy1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [pic.twitter.com/Xi1gRDjsyq](https://t.co/Xi1gRDjsyq)
>
> — Central (@WestHam\_Central) [August 14, 2026](https://x.com/WestHam_Central/status/2088298341746491848?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

## Joel Veltman explains West Ham decision

Veltman had established himself as a dependable Premier League defender at Brighton after joining from Ajax in 2020.

Brighton [confirmed his departure in July](https://www.brightonandhovealbion.com/media-article/mft-transfer-news-joel-veltman-departs-july-2026), revealing that the 34-year-old had made **191 appearances during six seasons** with the club.

His decision to join West Ham therefore represented a significant choice.

Rather than remain with a club established in the Premier League, Veltman has joined a Hammers side attempting to secure an immediate return to the top flight following relegation.

That ambition appears to have been central to his thinking.

West Ham enter the season under considerable pressure to challenge for promotion, and [ReadWestHam recently reported Jeff Stelling’s view that further additions are still required for Nuno’s squad](https://readwestham.com/2026/08/13/west-ham-told-to-sign-18m-troy-parrott-and-jamie-vardy-for-promotion/).

Veltman provides something different from many of the club’s younger summer targets.

His 191 Brighton appearances include extensive Premier League experience, while he also helped the Seagulls qualify for European football during his time at the Amex.

That experience could become important immediately.

West Ham begin their Championship campaign away at Burnley on Sunday, with [ReadWestHam reporting that the Clarets will be without three first-team players for the Turf Moor fixture](https://readwestham.com/2026/08/14/burnley-suffer-triple-injury-blow-before-west-ham-opener/).

For Veltman, the challenge is now to help ensure the project that convinced him to join delivers quickly.

West Ham’s size may have attracted him to east London, but promotion back to the Premier League will determine whether that ambition is fulfilled.