West Ham United’s Decision on Michail Antonio
West Ham United has announced that they will postpone making any decisions regarding Michail Antonio’s future until a more suitable moment. The club issued a statement on Monday, noting that with Antonio’s current contract set to expire on June 30, he will be classified as a free transfer for procedural requirements within the Premier League.
Antonio’s Recovery After Accident
The situation is particularly sensitive given Antonio’s serious involvement in a car accident in December 2024, which will lead to no formal announcements about his future until the timing is considered appropriate. West Ham emphasized that supporting Antonio through his recovery and journey to return to top-level football is their primary concern at this moment.
Antonio, who has been absent from the field since December following a serious collision with a tree in Epping Forest, required surgery for a fracture in his lower limb and spent a significant recovery period in a central London hospital.
He made an emotional return to the London Stadium on March 10, receiving a warm welcome from fans despite the circumstances surrounding his absence, which he described as intensely difficult and emotionally taxing.
“I almost died, and it made me embarrassed that it was that bad” – Antonio reflecting on his ordeal.
He also shared how seeing the wreckage of his car evoked a gut-wrenching reaction, marking this period as one of the most emotional phases of his life.
Antonio’s Career and Upcoming Departures
Joining West Ham in 2015 from Nottingham Forest, Antonio has since become the club’s all-time leading goal scorer in the Premier League, with a total of 68 goals. Across all competitions, he has accumulated an impressive tally of 83 goals and provided 40 assists in 323 matches.
In addition, West Ham has confirmed that several players including Aaron Cresswell, Lukasz Fabianski, Vladimir Coufal, and Danny Ings will depart upon the conclusion of their contracts this summer. Kurt Zouma, a France international defender who spent last season on loan with Saudi Arabia’s Al Orobah, is also set to leave at the end of the month.
