| Club | West Ham United FC |
| Position | Attacker |
| Squad number | 11 |
| Age | 27 (born Sat, 3 Oct 1998) |
| Nationality | Argentina |
| Height | 178 cm |
2026/2027 season
| Stat | Total |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 4 |
| Minutes played | 304 |
Data: SportMonks · updated 4 Sept 2026
Valentín ‘Taty’ Castellanos is an Argentina international striker who plays for West Ham United.
The 27-year-old wears the No.11 shirt and joined the Hammers from Lazio in January 2026.
Castellanos has previously played in Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, the United States, Spain and Italy, while his career highlights include winning the MLS Cup and Golden Boot with New York City FC and scoring four goals in one game against Real Madrid.
Taty Castellanos at West Ham
West Ham signed Castellanos from Lazio on 5 January 2026.
The Argentina international agreed a four-and-a-half-year contract, with West Ham holding an option to extend the deal for another season.
Castellanos made his debut one day after completing the move, starting against Nottingham Forest at London Stadium.
He scored his first West Ham goal against Queens Park Rangers in the FA Cup before opening his Premier League account against Burnley.
Castellanos remained with West Ham following relegation and was handed the No.11 shirt for the 2026/27 Championship campaign.
He began the new season by scoring twice in the 3-1 Carabao Cup victory over Portsmouth.
Taty Castellanos contract
Castellanos signed a four-and-a-half-year West Ham contract in January 2026.
That deal runs until summer 2030, while West Ham also hold an option for a further year.
The long-term agreement followed his permanent transfer from Serie A club Lazio.
How old is Taty Castellanos?
Castellanos was born on 3 October 1998 in Mendoza, Argentina.
He is 27 years old.
His full name is Valentín Mariano José Castellanos Giménez, although he is widely known as Taty Castellanos.
How tall is Taty Castellanos?
West Ham officially list Castellanos at 178cm tall.
He plays primarily as a centre-forward.
What position does Taty Castellanos play?
Castellanos is a striker who can lead the line, attack space behind defenders and combine with other forwards.
His movement and work without the ball have also allowed West Ham to use him alongside another centre-forward.
Nuno Espirito Santo has paired Castellanos with both Pablo and Joël Piroe during the 2026/27 season.
Is Taty Castellanos injured?
Castellanos has recently been managing a hamstring problem suffered during West Ham’s victory over Derby County.
He subsequently missed the 3-2 Championship win at Bolton Wanderers and remained a fitness doubt ahead of the meeting with Wrexham on 11 September.
For the latest availability and return information, see our permanently updated West Ham injury news page.
Taty Castellanos career before West Ham
Castellanos began his professional career in South America before establishing himself with New York City FC in Major League Soccer.
He became one of the leading forwards in MLS and helped New York City win the MLS Cup in 2021.
Castellanos also scored 19 goals and provided eight assists that season, winning the MLS Golden Boot and earning selection in the MLS Best XI.
He finished his New York City career with 59 goals and 24 assists in 134 appearances.
Castellanos then moved to Girona on loan for the 2022/23 La Liga season.
He scored 14 league goals, including all four in Girona’s famous 4-2 victory over Real Madrid in April 2023.
That performance made Castellanos the first player since 1947 to score four goals against Real Madrid in a league match.
Lazio signed him permanently in July 2023.
Castellanos later finished as Lazio’s joint-leading scorer with 14 goals during
