West Ham sign Valentin 'Taty' Castellanos from Lazio on four-and-a-half-year deal

West Ham complete signing of Valentin 'Taty' Castellanos

West Ham have signed Lazio striker Valentin 'Taty' Castellanos for an undisclosed fee, agreeing a four-and-a-half-year contract that includes the option of a further year. The deal adds another forward to head coach Nuno Espirito Santo’s squad during the January transfer window.

Castellanos arrives with experience in Serie A, having joined Lazio in 2023. Across his time at the Italian club, the 27-year-old made 98 appearances, scoring 22 goals and providing 16 assists. This season, he has recorded two goals and three assists in 10 Serie A appearances.

What West Ham said about the move

In confirming the signing, West Ham said Nuno Espirito Santo identified Castellanos as “a key target”. The club’s statement underlined that the striker was a priority addition as they look to strengthen their attacking options.

For West Ham, the signing comes at a time when results are under pressure. The club sit 18th in the Premier League, and their next fixture is Tuesday’s match against Nottingham Forest, who are four points above them in 17th.

Castellanos: ‘Every match is a battle’

Castellanos said he will “give everything” to West Ham and spoke about the mentality he plans to bring to the team.

“Every match is a battle, and I'm here to contribute that, to try to bring that energy, that fighting spirit I have inside, so that every match is as important and as tough as possible,” he said.

The comments offer a clear picture of how he sees his role: to contribute intensity and competitiveness, and to approach each game with urgency as West Ham navigate the remainder of the season.

Career background and international experience

Castellanos joined Lazio in 2023 and now moves to the Premier League after nearly 100 appearances for the Italian side. He has also previously played for New York City FC and Girona, giving him experience across different leagues and styles of football before arriving in England.

At international level, Castellanos has won two caps for Argentina since making his debut in 2024. While still early in his international career, those appearances indicate he has been involved at the highest level beyond club football.

West Ham’s January business so far

Castellanos is Nuno Espirito Santo’s second signing of the January window. He follows the arrival of Brazilian striker Pablo Felipe from Portuguese club Gil Vicente for a reported 25m euros (£22m).

The addition of two forwards in the same window suggests a clear focus on bolstering attacking resources. With West Ham positioned in the lower part of the table, the club will be looking for immediate contributions from new signings as the season continues.

Key details at a glance

• West Ham have signed Valentin ‘Taty’ Castellanos from Lazio for an undisclosed fee.
• He has agreed a four-and-a-half-year contract, with the option of a further year.
• Castellanos joined Lazio in 2023 and made 98 appearances, scoring 22 goals and providing 16 assists.
• This season he has two goals and three assists in 10 Serie A appearances.
• He has won two caps for Argentina since making his debut in 2024.
• Castellanos is West Ham head coach Nuno Espirito Santo’s second January signing, following Pablo Felipe.
• West Ham are 18th in the Premier League ahead of a match against Nottingham Forest, who are 17th and four points above them.

What comes next

West Ham’s immediate focus turns to their upcoming league match against Nottingham Forest, a fixture that pits them against a side just above them in the table. With the club in 18th place, the weeks ahead are likely to place extra emphasis on results and performances.

For Castellanos, the move represents a new challenge and a chance to translate his Lazio output—goals, assists, and regular appearances—into impact in the Premier League. West Ham will hope his stated “fighting spirit” is reflected quickly on the pitch as they seek to improve their league position.