West Ham United have secured the loan signing of French international defender Axel Disasi from Chelsea in a crucial Deadline Day move as the club battles to secure Premier League survival.
The deal, confirmed late Monday, brings a 27-year-old centre-back with significant experience to a West Ham side sitting in the relegation zone, providing manager Nuno Espirito Santo with a much-needed defensive reinforcement for the season’s decisive final months.
Disasi arrives at the London Stadium after falling completely out of favour at Chelsea, where he failed to make a single first-team appearance during the first half of the current campaign.
Speaking in his first interview as a West Ham player, the defender expressed his eagerness to return to competitive football. “I’m very happy to be here, to have this opportunity,” Disasi said. “I’m just ready to fight and to play games. Everyone knows my situation in the last few months, so I just want to get back on the field, feel the sensation of games and help the team.”
He emphasized that the club’s clear desire to secure his services was a decisive factor, stating, “I spoke with all the people here, and I feel that they really wanted me, so that’s why I’m here today.”
The signing concludes a defensive search for West Ham, who had previously seen two bids, reportedly around £20 million, for Southampton’s Taylor Harwood Bellis rejected earlier in the transfer window.
The loan agreement for Disasi is understood to be a straightforward arrangement until the end of the season without an obligation or option to make the move permanent, providing immediate depth without long-term financial commitment.
Reports indicate the loan has cost West Ham a fee in the region of £1.7 million.
For Chelsea, the move offers a pragmatic solution for a player who has been on the periphery. Signed from AS Monaco for approximately £38.5 million in 2023, Disasi scored on his Premier League debut and made 44 appearances in his first season.
However, after a subsequent loan to Aston Villa last season, where he made ten appearances, he returned to find himself out of Chelsea’s plans. The club officially wished him well, noting they “look forward to supporting Axel during his loan spell at the London Stadium”.
Disasi is expected to be thrust straight into the first-team picture at West Ham, where defensive solidity has been a pressing concern. His arrival is particularly timely following the recent suspension of fellow defender Jean-Clair Todibo.
Standing at 1.91 meters tall and possessing experience in the Premier League, Ligue 1, and on the international stage with France, including appearances at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Disasi brings a physical presence and proven pedigree.
He acknowledged the challenge ahead, saying, “It’s an exciting challenge. We know that the club is not at the place that it should be, but I’m here to help the team and to bring what I can to achieve our goal.” His signing was the final piece of a busy January window for the Hammers, which also saw the high-profile sale of Lucas Paqueta to Flamengo for £38 million.