When Lukasz Fabianski left West Ham United earlier in the summer – initially leaving Wes Foderingham and Alphonse Areola as Graham Potter’s only first-team goalkeepers – it appeared more a ‘goodbye’ than a ‘see you later’.
In a most unexpected turn of events, the veteran Polish shot-stopper could make his return to the London Stadium only three months down the line.
Now, it is no secret that Fabianski wanted to stay in London after his Hammers contract expired back in July. The ex-Arsenal goalkeeper rejected a return to Poland with Legia Warsaw, where he won the first silverware of his career nearly two decades prior.
But after Charlton opted against handing Fabianski a fresh start in the English capital – the 40-year-old was reportedly offered to the Addicks following their promotion to the Championship – London is calling once again.
And with Wes Foderingham leaving West Ham United for Cypriot outfit Aris Limassol, the door is suddenly ajar for Lukasz Fabianski to take his place and return as Graham Potter’s third-choice glovesman.
Club insider ExWHUemployee reported on his West Ham Way Patreon on Monday that Fabianski is in line for a shock Hammers homecoming.
This comes after fellow veteran Wes Foderingham was allowed to pursue a move to Aris with his contract terminated by mutual consent. The former Rangers and Sheffield United giant did not make a single first-team appearance for West Ham during just over a year in East London.
Foderingham will now spend the autumn of his career, or at least some of it, soaking up the Cypriot sun rather than twiddling his thumbs on the Hammers bench.
Speaking to Supersport 104, Aris’ press officer Kostas Papadopoulos explained the reasons behind bringing Foderingham to a club looking to reclaim the First Division title they last won in 2023.
“A well-known goalkeeper with great experience,” is how Papadopoulos describes the Fulham academy graduate. “He is at a good footballing age for a goalkeeper. We now have a very good duo of goalkeepers.
“He played in the Premier League, he has served at Rangers.”
Fabianski planned to stay in London and return should aid Mads Hermansen
Foderingham joins a growing throng of former Ibrox stalwarts in Limassol. Connor Goldson and Leon Balogun already earn a living at the Alphamega Stadium, while former Russia striker Aleksandr Kokorin has also joined the Aris ranks.
As for Fabianski, the Conference League champion has been working as a pundit on Polish TV during his time without a club.
“As I have said many times, at the moment the most important thing for me is the well-being of my family,” he told Play Sport Poland a few months ago. “Now, it is time to give them some of that peace. My priority is my family, so that they feel happy.
“We have decided that we will spend the next few years here, in London or nearby. As for football? We will see.”
Fabianski, should a return come to fruition, will bring some potentially invaluable experience to a dressing room shorn of Vladimir Coufal, Michail Antonio, Aaron Cresswell and more.
One-time number one Rob Green feels West Ham made a mistake letting so many long-serving players depart in the same transfer window, while new number one Mads Hermansen may also benefit from Fabianski’s presence on the training pitch.
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