West Ham United have officially announced the signing of Argentine forward Taty Castellanos from Lazio, completing a major attacking reinforcement ahead of the second half of the Premier League season.
The deal was confirmed on Monday (5), ending speculation that linked the 27-year-old striker with a potential move to Flamengo.
Contract Details and Transfer Fee
Castellanos has signed a four-and-a-half-year contract with the Hammers, keeping him at the London club until June 2030, with an option to extend for a further year.
According to European media reports, West Ham paid €30 million for the striker — approximately R$194 million at the current exchange rate — to secure his services from the Italian side.
Debut Could Come Against Nottingham Forest
The Argentine forward is expected to make his West Ham debut on Tuesday (6), when the club faces Nottingham Forest at the London Olympic Stadium.
The Premier League fixture, valid for the 21st round, kicks off at 5:00 PM (Brasília time).
“I’m very happy because this is a very important challenge for me personally. I came here to contribute and help the team as much as I can,” Castellanos said in his first interview as a West Ham player.
He also highlighted his commitment to bringing energy, intensity and fighting spirit to the squad.
Castellanos’ Recent Performances at Lazio
Castellanos arrives in England after a solid spell with Lazio, whom he joined in 2023.
- 2023/24 season: 14 goals
- Lazio finished 7th in Serie A
- Reached the Europa League quarterfinals
Overall, the striker scored 22 goals in 97 appearances for the Italian club. In the current season, he registered two goals and three assists in 12 matches.
From South America to Europe via MLS
Taty Castellanos’ journey began in Chile, where he was discovered by Universidad de Chile in 2017. He made his professional debut against Corinthians in the Copa Sudamericana.
After a loan spell at Torque, in Uruguay, he was signed permanently before moving to New York City FC in MLS in 2018. The American club remains the team he played for the most:
- 134 matches
- 59 goals
- 21 assists
He later had a short stint at Girona in Spain before joining Lazio.
A Key Addition for West Ham
With Premier League demands increasing and European ambitions still alive, West Ham see Castellanos as a crucial attacking option for the remainder of the season and beyond.
All eyes now turn to Tuesday night, where the Argentine could make his first appearance in claret and blue.
Siara Costa is a football editor and writer covering both European men’s and women’s football, with a focus on league competitions, match coverage, and in-depth storytelling.
