West Ham United have completed the signing of Joel Piroe from Leeds United on a season-long loan, with the deal containing a conditional obligation to buy if the Hammers secure promotion to the Premier League.
The move brings an end to a rapid transfer pursuit which progressed from initial talks to a medical and completion in the space of only a few days.
Piroe arrives after West Ham identified the 27-year-old as one of Nuno Espírito Santo’s preferred options to strengthen his attack. Leeds had been open to a loan containing a future obligation from the beginning of negotiations.
Fresh financial details also underline how heavily the deal is tied to West Ham’s promotion push.
West Ham complete Joel Piroe signing
The agreement could guarantee Leeds around £12million if Piroe joins West Ham permanently, with that total taking the initial loan fee into account.
The permanent obligation is conditional on West Ham securing promotion back to the Premier League, according to the latest reporting around the completed deal.
That structure gives Nuno a proven Championship striker immediately without West Ham having to make the entire permanent commitment this summer.
It also creates a simple incentive.
If Piroe ultimately costs West Ham the full guaranteed package, it should mean he has been part of a squad which achieved the club’s primary objective.
That final step has now been completed.
Nuno lands proven Championship goalscorer
Piroe’s record at this level made him an obvious candidate for West Ham.
He scored 19 Championship goals during Leeds’ 2024/25 title-winning season, collecting the Golden Boot as Daniel Farke’s side secured promotion.
Nuno had publicly wanted another attacker after the opening draw at Burnley, while Pablo Felipe’s calf problem created further uncertainty ahead of Saturday’s game against Charlton.
Piroe now gives him another established central option.
West Ham originally pursued Troy Parrott before switching their attention towards the Leeds striker when those negotiations became difficult.
The speed with which the Piroe move was subsequently completed suggests the Hammers were determined not to allow their striker search to drag towards the end of the window.
With the deal now done, Nuno has landed one of the Championship’s most proven goalscorers.
And if Piroe eventually becomes a permanent West Ham player, the club should already have returned to the Premier League.
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