West Ham should repeat Leeds United, Sam Byram transfer agreement | OneFootball

Sam Byram left Leeds United for West Ham back in 2016, and the Hammers should try to bring him in again 10 years later

The 2015/16 campaign at West Ham is arguably one of the most enjoyable ones in recent memory for Hammers fans.

The final year at the Boleyn Ground saw Slavan Bilic's side record their highest Premier League finish since the 2001/02 campaign and qualify for the preliminary stages of the Europa League, with the likes of Dimitri Payet, Michail Antonio, Andy Carroll and Manuel Lanzini all starring.

Midway through that campaign, West Ham strengthened their side with the arrival of promising right-back Sam Byram from Leeds United, who became the latest Whites academy star to make a Premier League move while they languished in the second-tier's midtable.

Unfortunately, the then-22-year-old could never really break into the Hammers squad as they aimed to strengthen ahead of their move to the London Stadium and build on their seventh-placed finish.

Bryam made just 36 appearances over three-and-a-half years at the club, spending time on loan at Nottingham Forest towards the tail end, before signing permanently with Norwich City.

Over 10 years on from that move, Leeds are now the side looking to kick on in the Premier League, while West Ham are facing their first Championship campaign in 15 years. And they should bring Byram back to help navigate it.

Sam Byram has revitalised his career back at Leeds United — he'd be a useful Championship pickup this summer

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All roads led back home for Byram back in 2023. Following a few injury-troubled years at Norwich, the versatile defender returned to Leeds following the Whites' relegation back to the Championship.

His main role was to provide depth and experience, while also serving as a home-grown star who knows the club well, having come through the academy since the age of 11. However, he'd prove to play a bigger role than expected back at Elland Road.

Byram was set to play backup to the starting right-back, with Djed Spence being brought in on loan to support the left-back position. However, Daniel Farke opted to utilise Bryam on the left when Junior Firpo began the 2023/24 campaign on the sidelines.

He started 16 of the first 20 league games, more appearances, let alone starts, than he'd managed in each of his final league seasons at Carrow Road, and one fewer than his other Norwich campaign, too. The injury worries that had surrounded him were gone, and he was a solid part of a promotion-chasing side.

Ultimately, when Firpo returned, he was relegated to sporadic starts and bench appearances, but he showed that he was a useful option to come in and maintain the level required to compete at the top of the division. When Spence was sent back to Tottenham and Luke Ayling was loaned to Middlesbrough, Farke was happy with having Bryam as a versatile backup.

That role would continue into the following campaign, where the former academy man would back up both Firpo and new arrival Jayden Bogle, making 35 appearances, 16 of which were starts, in their 100-point title-winning term.

Understandably, his usage has decreased drastically this past season in the Premier League, and while Leeds are in conversation surrounding a contract extension, it's expected that, if he wants game time, he'll have to find it elsewhere. There should be a plethora of Championship sides ready to offer the 32-year-old a deal, and West Ham should definitely be one of them.

Sam Byram can play a similar role at West Ham as he did at Leeds United in their promotion campaign

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West Ham, like Leeds in 2023, will be gearing up for a summer filled with player movement, as those who see themselves as top-flight level footballers will be angling for a move away.

Having Byram in to help bridge that gap and offer a steady start while Nuno Espirito Santo figures out who is in his best squad out of the numerous new players that the Hammers are likely to sign would be quite useful.

Then, the 32-year-old can continue to play a solid role off the bench as West Ham strives to make their Championship stay as short as possible, while also stepping in at times due to injury or suspension and ensuring that the overall level doesn't drop.

Plus, it would be rather apt that Bryam, who is on a rather cyclical career path currently, would choose to move to the club he initially left Leeds for over a decade ago.

The signing would offer a different perspective and expectation from the first time the 32-year-old made the move to East London. Nevertheless, he'd still be a great pickup as West Ham look to create a well-balanced squad ahead of an important season.