On a day when the contracts of Michail Antonio, Vladimir Coufal, Aaron Cresswell and Lukasz Fabianski officially expired, there is one new face set to arrive at West Ham United in the shape of Celtic starlet Daniel Cummings.
Now, this was always going to be a summer of considerable change at the London Stadium.
As a club source informed Hammers News at the beginning of the window, West Ham planned to ‘reinvent’ Graham Potter’s squad. Young, hungry talent with considerable re-sale potential is now the priority.
Something both Potter and head of recruitment Kyle Macaulay proved themselves particularly au fait with back at Brighton.
So the departure of a host of experienced, 30-something campaigners – and the subsequent arrival of one of the most exciting teenage attackers in British football – feels like a fitting way to kick off a new month and a new financial year.
Daniel Cummings turned down a new deal at Celtic at the end of last season, despite his lifelong adoration for the Scottish Premiership champions.
Cummings was pictured at the London Stadium some six weeks ago, taking in the sights and sounds alongside his parents.
And much to the frustration of Brendan Rodgers – the Celtic boss is clearly unhappy about the nature of the 19-year-old’s departure – Cummings should be posing for photos in a claret and blue shirt pretty soon.
Daniel Cummings pens Celtic farewell as West Ham United unveiling looms
Writing on his official Instagram account, Daniel Cummings has now confirmed one of the worst-kept secrets in Scottish football.
“After 13 years at my boyhood club, today I have officially left Celtic,” the Scotland Under-19 international explains.
“I just want to say a massive thank you to all the coaches [and] staff, and everyone associated with the club. It has been a pleasure.
“Another massive thank you to all the boys. It has been a great journey and I have made memories for life.
“I wish the club and everyone else the best of luck in the future. Hail Hail.”
There was no mention of West Ham in Cummings’ goodbye message. Though one suspects that, the next time he uploads to Instagram, his message will be accompanied with a Hammers-branded scarf, or perhaps a warm handshake with Graham Potter.
Frank McAvennie insists Celtic’s loss is West Ham’s gain, meanwhile, with a striker who plundered 38 goals in 58 games for The Hoops’ B-team north of the border.
“He’s a great signing for West Ham,” argues McAvennie, who donned both the green and white and the claret and blue in the 1980s. “In my opinion, Celtic should have kept him.
“Give 100 per cent and the [West Ham] fans will love you.”
Brendan Rodgers explained Cummings’ departure from Scottish Premiership champions
In Celtic’s defence, it is not as if they did not attempt to retain the services of their London-bound starlet. The National reports that the Glasgow giants – who are expected to receive a compensation fee of £250,000 – held firm discussions over a new deal before West Ham lured him away.
“I think the challenge here now for young players is patience,” Rodgers said back in May, shedding some light on why Cummings had played only 11 minutes of senior football despite his stunning record in the reserves.
“They want to be in the first team at 17, 18. But that’s difficult at a club like this here, unless you’re an incredibly special talent.
“But it doesn’t mean that you can never be. I’ve spent my career and my life developing young players, putting them in the team. And some have been ready. Like Raheem Sterling at 17 years of age [at Liverpool]. He was ready. Physically, mentally, ability, everything.
“Then there’s been some other players, like Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall [at Leicester City], that need a wee bit more time.
“It’s just about time. What young players need to have here is, is understand that there’s a bit of patience needed…
“But if you want to be patient and trust the club, you’ll get there. If you don’t, you might listen to your agent, who’s got a different agenda, that takes you away from here, and then you’ll go somewhere else.”
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