The surprise Joel Piroe story that all West Ham and Leeds United fans should know | OneFootball

Joel Piroe, one of the Championship's most prolific signings, didn't begin his career as a striker

West Ham United have a new frontman through the door, as Joel Piroe arrived on loan from Leeds United.

Despite initially stating that he wanted to fight for his place in the Premier League at Elland Road earlier this summer, it became apparent that he still wasn't going to be in Daniel Farke's plans, and he looked for a move away.

There were worries that a £16 million price tag from the top-flight side was going to put off clubs from signing him, but West Ham will reportedly be spending £12 million on the Surinamese international next summer if they get promoted to the Premier League this season.

It continues the reputation of Piroe being one of the top Championship frontmen that the division has seen in recent years, but funnily enough, up top wasn't where the 27-year-old began his career.

Joel Piroe played as a left-back during his youth team days in the Netherlands

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Indeed, someone who has 73 goals in 179 Championship appearances didn't begin his career leading the line. In fact, Piroe started as a left-back before transitioning into a left midfielder and then a striker.

Speaking to PSV in 2018, the then-19-year-old spoke about his journey through football before arriving at the academy of the Dutch giants, part of which saw him play in the D1 of NEC's amateur branch.

"My position has changed a lot over the years," Piroe said. "First I was left back or left half, but I scored so much that the coach of the D1 said I would score even more if I played in the striker position. I never actually left there."

The frontman spoke about how he netted 43 times in a single year for NEC, seven of which came in a 7-1 victory against Top Oss. It would have been intriguing to see a goalscoring left-back in the Championship, but his switch to being a striker has ultimately helped him carve out a successful EFL career.

Joel Piroe's EFL career thus far

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Piroe will play his fifth Championship campaign at West Ham this season, marking the third club he's played for in the second tier.

He initially arrived from PSV, signing for Swansea City in the summer of 2021 for up to £2 million and quickly made a name for himself, scoring 22 times in 45 league appearances in his first campaign in South Wales — 24 times in all competitions.

From that point, it was a given that the Swans were going to be making a hefty profit on the frontman, and after 20 goals in all competitions the following year, a then-recently relegated Leeds side came in for him, spending £12 million three summers ago on his signature.

With the quality that Daniel Farke's side had alongside Piroe, the 27-year-old wasn't relied on for as many goals as he was at Swansea.

He never scored as many in a single season for Leeds as he did in South Wales, but did win the division's Golden Boot the last time he played in the Championship with 19 goals during the 2024/25 campaign.

Joel Piroe still has a lot to prove at Premier League level

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Unfortunately, Piroe was unable to prove he was Premier League quality last season, either as a left-back or as a striker.

He started the opening two games, in which Leeds didn't score from open play, and was reduced to sporadic substitute appearances once Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha got up to speed.

Additionally, Farke's changing of playstyle at Elland Road made it even more difficult for the 27-year-old to get game time, as he isn't an outlet striker, but rather someone who plays well with the ball at his feet.

Regardless of the level, though, he is a goal threat, and he'll be keen to prove that as and when he returns to the top flight, whether that be at West Ham or elsewhere.

Joel Piroe's hunger should bode well for West Ham United in their promotion pursuit

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One thing that couldn't be taken away from Piroe was his desire to make it in the Premier League with Leeds, and the fact he waited until all pre-season at Elland Road was over to decide on his future does indicate that he was trying to impress Daniel Farke.

But the German boss has made his decision, and the 27-year-old finds himself back in the Championship once more.

Piroe has a chip on his shoulder now, alongside a lot of lost time to make up for, having played under 300 minutes of league action last season. That can only bode well for West Ham, as the Surinamese international will be hungry to prove himself.

He's already a dangerous goal threat at Championship level, but now he'll be even more driven to prove he has Premier League quality. If he can help the Hammers get promoted, he'll have another chance to showcase that.