What happened: West Ham United have confirmed the appointment of Nils Koppen as their new director of player recruitment, subject to a work visa being secured. The 41-year-old Belgian leaves his post as technical director at FC Copenhagen to take the role, having previously worked at Rangers and PSV Eindhoven.

Why it matters: Koppen slots into a new football leadership structure at the London Stadium and will shape the club's transfer strategy alongside head coach Nuno Espirito Santo, whom he called 'a very experienced and highly respected head coach.' The hire lands in the middle of an active summer window in which Mateus Fernandes' future is already being decided by incoming offers, giving West Ham a dedicated recruitment lead as squad decisions stack up.

What to watch: Watch for the work visa to be finalized so Koppen can formally begin, and for his first moves in the current transfer window as West Ham reshape the squad under the new structure.