West Ham United have just signed up a young star who looks tailor-made to replace Vladimir Coufal and the club’s fans will love it.
Czech warrior full-back Vladimir Coufal has been one of the best right-backs in West Ham’s modern history.
The former Slavia Prague man is also among the very best professionals to have represented the Hammers.
But time waits for no man and Coufal’s future has been uncertain ever since Aaron Wan-Bissaka walked in the door at West Ham.
Emotions run high as Coufal prepares to say goodbye
The fact Wan-Bissaka has been West Ham’s player of the season will be no coincidence.
Coufal’s attitude and professionalism will mean he has been pushing Wan-Bissaka to be at his very best ever since joining in a bargain £15m deal from Man United last summer.
Coufal himself was a serious bargain for the Irons.
He cost the Hammers just £5m from Slavia Prague, reuniting with best friend Tomas Soucek in east London.
The pair have been one of the main driving forces behind West Ham’s successful period over the last five years.
Coufal earned a fearsome reputation as a tough-tackling right-back, pocketing the best Premier League left wingers around.
The only pity for the Czech Republic star is that he did not sign for the Hammers as a younger player.
Because had he done so then there is no doubt he would have been around for 10 years plus.
As it is, though, Coufal will be leaving the London Stadium next month.
The Hammers took some by surprise with a major announcement that Coufal is one of four veteran players with a combined 25 years of service are being let go.
West Ham have just signed their Coufal replacement – literally
It was confirmed at the weekend that Aaron Cresswell, Lukasz Fabianski and Danny Ings will also depart West Ham when their contracts expire.
With Graham Potter looking to drive down the age of his squad and trim the wage bill due to PSR, it makes sense.
Because the departures shave 139 years off the age of the Premier League’s oldest squad and £15m a year in wages.
Wan-Bissaka has replaced Coufal on the pitch.
But replacing Coufal as a person will be the most difficult part for West Ham.
Now the Hammers appear to have acted swiftly and very literally doing just that in their mission to look to youth.
Because West Ham have just signed their Coufal replacement and it’s beautiful.
There were emotional scenes when Coufal and Cresswell were serenaded by Hammers fans after they both started and starred in a 2-0 win at Man United on Sunday.
But yesterday was even more emotional in the Coufal household.
Because the Hammers star took to social media to share a video showing his son signing for West Ham to hopefully one day follow in his footsteps.
Coufal’s son signs for West Ham and it’s beautiful
“We are so proud of you, you worked incredibly hard to reach your goal,” Coufal said alongside the video of his son being congratulated by sporting director Mark Noble and holding up his Hammers shirt emblazoned with the name Coufal.
“Welcome in West Ham my son.”
As one Coufal prepares to leave, another arrives.
Let’s hope as one Coufal legacy comes to an end, this is the start of a new one.
Coufal’s son clearly has ability if he is being signed up by the Academy.
West Ham’s youth ranks are extremely competitive right now, even at that young age.
Hopefully little Coufal can go on to emulate his dad. It would be quite something to see that name back in the first team in 10-15 years time.
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