Former Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma close to signing for Lecce

Kurt Zouma is negotiating a move to Serie A side Lecce, with talks reportedly at an advanced stage. The French centre-back, who spent the past seasons at West Ham, has been a free agent since June and is now set for a new challenge in Italian football.

From Chelsea glory to West Ham captaincy

Zouma, 30, rose to prominence during his spell at Chelsea, where he won several major trophies, including Premier League titles. However, his time at Stamford Bridge was also marked by off-field controversies.

After leaving the Blues, the Frenchman joined West Ham United, where he became an important figure and even inherited the captain’s armband. Despite his leadership role, the club opted not to renew his contract at the end of last season.

Lecce push to finalize the deal

According to journalist Santi Aouna, Lecce are optimistic about completing the signing soon. The club sees Zouma as a player who can not only solidify their defense but also add valuable top-level experience to a relatively young squad.

If the agreement is finalized, Zouma will undergo a preparation phase before making his Serie A debut, given that he has not played competitively since last season.

Missed chance in Brazil

In recent months, reports suggested Zouma had offered himself to several Brazilian clubs, hoping for an opportunity in the Brasileirão. However, no deal materialized, leaving Lecce as the strongest candidate to secure his signature.