Keiber Lamadrid, the Venezuela international who was officially unveiled by West Ham United on Thursday, is clearly a man who knows what he wants.
After passing a medical in Paris and obtaining the requisite work permit, the former Deportivo la Guaira winger arrived on London soil before putting pen to paper with the Premier League outfit.
Keiber Lamadrid initially joins West Ham United on loan for the remainder of the season.
Describe the Keiber Lamadrid signing in ONE word! 🇻🇪
The youngster joins from Deportivo la Guaira…
Reports indicating that a permanent deal could be completed to the tune of just £870,000 a few months down the line, meanwhile, has the Hammers fans feeling this is a worthy punt. An extremely affordable one, too. There are only upsides.
But what does the man himself hope to get out of this most unexpected of opportunities?
Keiber Lamadrid wants to put Venezuela on the map at West Ham United
Speaking to the club’s official website, Keiber set out a list of aims and ambitions. Firstly, he wants to make his mark this side of the Atlantic having been named the top Under-23 talent in Venezuela for 2025.
Keiber also hopes to ‘adapt as quickly as possible’. Due to the initial temporary nature of this arrangement – a contract running until the summer – he may need to get up to speed pretty sharpish.
Should he make a Premier League debut as a West Ham player, meanwhile, Keiber will become only the third Venezuelan footballer ever to grace such a stage. The other two are Fernando Amorebieta, who spent the 2013/14 season at Fulham, and former Newcastle, West Brom and Everton striker Salomon Rondon.
“It’s an incredible opportunity to be here at this beautiful club,” he begins. “I thank God first of all, and all the people who helped me get here. I also thank my family, who always supported me.
“For me, it’s a dream to be here.
“I’m excited to grow as a person, as a player, and I want to do well at this club. I want to adapt as quickly as possible, to continue growing as a player and open doors again for Venezuelan football. Nothing is impossible.”
Keiber has shown ‘flashes of his ability’ in South America
Revenge awaits!
What do YOU want to see as West Ham look to avenge August's 3-0 loss?
Keiber is expected to represent West Ham’s Under-21 side for the time being.
Greg Lincoln lost both Callum Marshall and George Earthy – the duo are on loan at Bochum and Bristol City – so the introduction of another talented forward will be well received by the reserve-team boss. Lamadrid, a left footer who plays on the left, likes to find pockets of space in behind enemy lines while firing shots at goal with every chance he gets.
Lamadrid has a ‘great ability’ to carve out goalscoring opportunities for himself, Venezuelan analyst Richard Mendez told 4-3-3 Television on YouTube this week.
Lamadrid, who was officially announced in the build-up to West Ham’s Saturday clash against Sunderland, arrives having scored eight goals and having assisted six more for Deportivo la Guaira last term.
“Throughout the season, Keiber has been showing great flashes of his ability,” Mendez said.
“Something I was analysing regarding Keiber is that the kid has a great ability to get into the box. He has a real eye for goal. When you start looking at his numbers – eight goals for the season [in all competitions] – it’s not incredibly high, but he’s not a ‘number nine’, so it’s actually not bad.
“He is someone who persistently tests the opponent’s goal. [And he has] six assists. This speaks very well of the player. I mean, he has more than enough quality to make you think this move could happen.
“Go to Europe! Prove yourself! Get the chance to work your tail off and earn your spot. I really hope it happens for Keiber.”
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