West Ham confirm Mateus Fernandes signing: When will £42m midfielder make Hammers debut?

West Ham United have announced the signing of midfielder Mateus Fernandes from Southampton.

The 21-year-old has put pen to paper on a five-year contract and moves to the London Stadium for an undisclosed fee, believed to be worth up to £42m including add-ons.

Fernandes becomes Graham Potter’s fifth signing of the summer transfer window and the second Southampton player to join the Hammers after Kyle Walker-Peters, who has arrived on a free transfer.

The Portugal Under-21 international, who will wear the No.18 shirt, is in contention to make his West Ham debut in Sunday’s Premier League clash away against Nottingham Forest.

“I'm very happy to be here. I'm very excited to play for West Ham,” Fernandes told the club’s official website. “I think it's a big step for me. It's a big club, a massive club. The project, the stadium, the city, everything.

“I want to try to play football, enjoy football, not just run and try to score, but try to play good football. I think the most important thing is to try to give everything every day.”

Mateus is our man ⚒️ pic.twitter.com/eQX927wMyO

— West Ham United (@WestHam) August 29, 2025

Fernandes excited to work under Potter at West Ham

He added: “I think the main thing that stood out (about Graham Potter) was about the style of play. I want to try to play football, and enjoy football. I don’t want to just run and try to score, but to try and play good football, and I think West Ham is a good fit.

“I thought what the head coach told me about the project was fantastic. He showed me everything he wanted to do, which I really liked, so yeah, I’m very happy to be here.

“As a player, I think I’m someone who runs, fights for the ball and tries to win every duel. I always try to help my teammates and the club, and do the best I can.

“I’d say I’m very different on the pitch to off it! As a person, I like to enjoy my days off with my family, my girlfriend and with my friends. I’m just a normal guy!”

Reacting to the arrival of Fernandes at his pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday’s trip to the City Ground, Potter said: “I think he brings quality, character, desire and personality to the squad. He’s someone we’ve known about and watched for a while, and we’re delighted to have him here with us.

Get familiar with Fernandes ?️ pic.twitter.com/cUdXKVzb3k

— West Ham United (@WestHam) August 29, 2025

Potter: ‘Fernandes has ambition, humility and professionalism’

“I think our fans will really like him. He’s at an exciting stage of his career, he’s already got some Premier League experience, and we’re looking forward to him taking the next step with us.

“Last season didn’t go how he or Southampton would’ve planned, but I think every experience you have in life, good or bad, is an opportunity for you to learn and develop, and get stronger.

“I’m sure he wouldn’t have enjoyed the experience last year, but I think it’s made him more determined, more aware of how difficult this league is, and of how difficult being a top professional player is.

“He’s got ambition, he’s got humility and he’s got professionalism, so I think he’ll take every experience he has and use it to improve.”

Fernandes leaves Southampton just a year after moving to St Mary’s from Sporting Lisbon for £12m; he made 36 Premier League appearances last season, chipping in with two goals and four assists for a side who finished rock bottom of the table and suffered relegation to the Championship.

The midfielder played in each of the Saints’ first three second-tier matches of the new campaign, while he also scored the only goal in a slender 1-0 away victory over Northampton Town in the EFL Cup first round.