West Ham United defender Kurt Zouma is on the verge of making a move to Shabab Al-Ahli. The 29-year-old, who still has one year left on his contract with West Ham, will be joining the Dubai-based club on a free transfer. Shabab Al-Ahli will be covering the remaining 12 months of his wages, making it an attractive deal for both parties.
The transfer is expected to be finalized in the coming days, with Zouma scheduled to undergo a medical examination. The French international had taken on the role of West Ham captain last season after Declan Rice’s departure to Arsenal. During the 2023-24 season, he played in 33 Premier League matches for the east London club, finding the back of the net three times.
Zouma’s move will allow West Ham to make adjustments to their wage budget, especially after bringing in six new signings over the summer, including defender Maximilian Kilman from Wolves. This transfer marks the end of Zouma’s decade-long career in English football, which began when he signed with Chelsea from Saint-Etienne in 2014.
During his time at Chelsea, Zouma achieved success, winning two Premier League titles, the Champions League, and the League Cup with the club. He also had loan spells with Stoke City and Everton before permanently joining West Ham in 2021. His time with West Ham saw him add a Europa Conference League winner’s medal to his collection in 2023.
However, Zouma faced controversy in 2022 when he was sentenced to 180 hours of community service for mistreating his cat. This incident garnered negative attention, but Zouma has since focused on his football career and will now be embarking on a new chapter with Shabab Al-Ahli.
As fans await the official announcement of Zouma’s transfer, it marks a significant change for both the player and the clubs involved. His experience and skills will surely be an asset to Shabab Al-Ahli, while West Ham will have to adjust their defensive lineup in his absence. The football world is always full of surprises, and Zouma’s move is just another example of the ever-evolving nature of the sport.
