Foderingham relishing opportunity to work with Valero, Fabiański and Areola

Wes Foderingham believes working with West Ham United’s world-renowned goalkeeper coach Xavi Valero will help him improve his game.

The 33-year-old stopper was personally contacted by Valero as his contract at previous club Sheffield United approached its expiry at the end of last season, with the Spaniard expressing his admiration for Foderingham’s game.

Valero’s call was followed up as the two kept in contact and ultimately and directly led to Foderingham becoming West Ham’s second summer signing of 2024.

Foderingham is relishing the opportunity to work and improve under the guidance of someone who has coached the likes of Júlio César, Pepe Reina and Keylor Navas, as well as current Hammers Łukasz Fabiański and Alphonse Areola.

“Xavi has got a great CV and has worked with some top goalkeepers,” Foderingham observed. “He spoke about how he sees the dynamic of the goalkeepers here and what he wants the goalkeeper department to look like and felt that it was a good match, so it’s a good feeling.

As well as being coached and advised by Valero, Foderingham also believes he can learn a lot by training alongside West Ham’s two senior international stoppers, former Poland star Fabiański and current France squad member Areola.

“I think most goalkeepers I’ve worked with, there’s something you can pick up from them, even if it’s the way they move, or maybe the way they present hands to to the ball or anything,” he confirmed.

“There’s always something you can pick up so, especially with the case of Alphonse and Łukasz, who are top goalkeepers who’ve shown it throughout their careers as well, so I’m really looking forward to coming in and working with both of them.”