Former Ghana defender John Painstil has offered an advice to Mohammed Kudus after sealing a move to West Ham United this summer.
The Hammers confirmed the signing of the talented player from Ajax on Sunday after weeks of negotiations and is expected to wear the No14 shirt.
The Black Stars midfielder joins the Irons on a five-year contract for an undisclosed fee, becoming the Club’s third major summer signing following his former Ajax teammate and Mexico international Edson Álvarez and England midfielder James Ward-Prowse.
Despite refusing to disclose the transfer fee, it is said the Premier League outfit agreed on a € 43 million fee, which could increase to € 46 million through variables.
Kudus becomes the third Ghanaian to play for West Ham after John Paintsil and Andre Ayew.
In an interview with Kumasi-based Akoma FM, Paintsil who had stint with West Ham before calling it a quit has entreated his countryman not to focus solely on winning individual awards at the club.
“Kudus Mohammed shouldn’t focus solely on winning individual awards even though they are important, but I will rather encourage him to do well at West Ham”
“He shouldn’t be about playing at West Ham to win or even think about the African best player award but play well and at the right time, it will come” he said.
Kudus joined the Dutch giants in the summer of 2020, signing a five-year deal after switching from Danish club FC Nordsjælland.
The Ghana international made 87 appearances for Ajax’s first team and scored 27 goals.
At Ajax, Kudus won the Eredivisie twice (2021 and 2022), and won the Dutch Cup once (2021).