Joel Piroe is determined to help West Ham United secure promotion back to the Premier League, drawing on the experience he gained doing precisely that with Leeds United.
The 27-year-old Suriname forward has completed a move to the Championship side on loan this morning, with a mandatory purchase clause meaning his tenure at Elland Road has now concluded.
The Dutch-born international departs Leeds having found the net 34 times across 118 matches, though his influence diminished during the previous campaign as he slipped down the selection order.
His initial two seasons in West Yorkshire proved highly productive, however. He rattled in 14 goals during the club’s push to the play-off showpiece in 2024, before netting 19 times the following term as Daniel Farke’s side coasted to the league crown and an immediate return to the top division.
Piroe is eager to replicate that Championship-winning formula at the London Stadium and spoke of his ambitions to the club’s official platform. He explained he understands what is required to clinch this division and is targeting contributions in front of goal alongside assists, complementing his overall attacking contribution.
He described himself as a player who enjoys receiving possession and can convert using either foot or his head. He expressed enthusiasm for combining with fellow forwards and emphasised he maintains his effort until the final whistle.
Regarding personal targets, he revealed he aims to reach double figures for both goals and assists, with closer to 20 the preferred figure he sets himself. He wants regular game time and is committed to aiding West Ham’s push for promotion.
The switch brings a 12-month transfer saga to a close. Negotiations commenced the summer after Leeds secured their top-flight return and dragged through the January transfer window, despite Piroe frequently indicating his desire to remain and feature more prominently.
With his existing contract approaching its final year, a departure this month appeared inevitable. He confessed it felt satisfying to have concluded the move, describing the preceding days as frantic but affirming his happiness at arriving and his readiness to begin.
He indicated the process accelerated last week and gathered momentum through the weekend before he made the journey south, underwent his medical examination and completed the formalities. He declared himself thrilled to have finally put pen to paper.
He identified West Ham as a club with clear ambitions to compete in the Premier League, suggesting they belong at that level. He believes his know-how can significantly assist them in realising those objectives and views the switch as an excellent chance to display how he has developed as a player over the years.
He noted that both Nils Koppen and Nuno Espírito Santo had been explicit about the club’s immediate and longer-term ambitions. They outlined their vision for the team’s structure, which resonated strongly with him. He expressed genuine anticipation about integrating with the squad and training alongside his new teammates.
Piroe will also be rekindling his partnership with Manor Solomon, another key figure from Leeds’ promotion triumph, something he warmly welcomed. He noted the pair had developed excellent understanding at Elland Road and was pleased the opportunity now existed to strengthen that bond at their new club.