West Ham identify Jarrod Bowen as new captain with Kurt Zouma transfer sealed

08/08/2024 07:33 AM

West Ham have identified their next captain in Jarrod Bowen with Kurt Zouma’s exit from the club all but certain.

Zouma is understood to be closing in on a move to Dubai side Shabab Al-Ahli.

talkSPORT understands the Hammers are willing to let Zouma leave on a free transfer to get his wages off the books.

Having first captained the club back in August 2023, he will now leave the armband to another player as he departs the Premier League.

The former Chelsea defender was not in his best form last season and West Ham boss Julian Lopetegui has been focused on bolstering his back line this transfer window.

They have already signed former Wolves captain Max Kilman, who played every single minute in the Premier League for his old club last season, for £40million.

The defender will be reunited with Lopetegui, who managed him at Molineux.

Kilman had been one of the candidates to take up the captaincy mantle from the departing Zouma – especially since it was Lopetegui made him captain at Wolves.

But it now looks as though the armband will be going a different way.

talkSPORT understands England winger Bowen is the front-runner to succeed him as skipper at the London Stadium.

Fan-favourite Bowen joined West Ham back in 2020 and has since scored 60 goals in his 202 appearances.

He has also fought his way into the England setup since then, earning his first call-up by Gareth Southgate back in May 2022.

More recently, Bowen was part of the Three Lions squad that missed out on Euro 2024 victory to Spain in the final – featuring in their tournament opener against Serbia as a late substitute.

Zouma has previously spoken about what an honour it was to lead his club out as skipper, especially in their European fixtures last season, but he is now set to depart the London Stadium.

“It’s a huge honour for me, especially leading the team in the Europa League,” he said in April 2024. “It’s something I thought would never happen to me.

“To lead such a great group makes me very proud.

“I’ve been through a lot of ups and downs, like everyone. My team-mates and coaches throughout my career have helped me, and I think all of that has helped me get to where I am today.”

West Ham have one more pre-season game against Celta Vigo on Saturday August 10 before they begin the countdown to their first Premier League game of the 2024/25 campaign.

Their new captain will lead the team out as they open the campaign with a home fixture against Aston Villa on Saturday August 17.