What's happened to Freddie Potts since he left West Ham? | OneFootball

FLW look into what Freddie Potts has been up to since leaving West Ham United for Belgian side Club Brugge this summer...

Now a player for Club Brugge, Freddie Potts spent 16 years at West Ham United after joining the club's academy as a six-year-old, following in the footsteps of his father Steve.

Having worked his way through the ranks and eventually made his senior debut, the midfielder appeared to be on the cusp of establishing himself in east London. However, despite showing plenty of promise and opportunities perhaps being easier to come by in the Championship, Potts ultimately left West Ham United in the summer of 2026 for a new challenge with Club Brugge.

It was a significant decision for a player who had finally begun to make an impression at Premier League level, but his subsequent move to Belgium has given him an opportunity to take his career to another level. West Ham received a fee in excess of £10 million for Potts from Club Brugge.

Freddie Potts' strong start with Club Brugge after leaving West Ham

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Potts had already proved himself in the EFL before heading abroad, particularly during his 2024/25 Championship loan at Portsmouth. After an impressive season at Wycombe Wanderers, he became a regular under John Mousinho, where he showcased how he was composed, positionally strong, and excellent in the tackle.

West Ham have since continued to lean on youth in midfield, with Lewis Orford among those making an impression, but Potts was not retained and he has taken his own route. He was handed the number eight shirt at Club Brugge and has started all six competitive matches since joining, including Tuesday's Champions League clash.

He has collected three yellow cards while operating at the base of midfield, showing how willing he is to compete defensively. He has been substituted in four of those games, but never before the 85th minute, highlighting the trust Brugge manager Ivan Leko have already placed in him.

Freddie Potts makes his Champions League debut

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Tuesday's meeting with Aston Villa was another major milestone, as Potts made his Champions League debut and played 86 minutes of Club Brugge's 3-2 defeat. Hugo Vetlesen put the hosts level after John McGinn's opener, before Villa regained control and eventually led 3-1 at half-time. Nicolo Tresoldi pulled one back from the penalty spot, but Brugge could not find the late equaliser.

It was not Potts' first taste of European football, though. He made one appearance in the 2021/22 Europa League group stage against Dinamo Zagreb, before coming off the bench against FCSB and AEK Larnaca during West Ham's victorious 2022/23 Conference League campaign.

Now, he has some huge tests ahead, with Club Brugge scheduled to face the likes of Inter Milan, PSV Eindhoven, Liverpool, and Napoli in the league phase. They are European giants and vindicate his decision to leave the club where things started for him, carving out a career away from English football.

What could have been for West Ham and Freddie Potts

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There will inevitably be some questions about what Potts could have offered West Ham this season, particularly after making 22 Premier League appearances in 2025/26. His composed performances, defensive work and willingness to compete made him a useful option, with a memorable moment coming at Old Trafford when he produced an important challenge to deny Bryan Mbeumo.

However, most West Ham supporters should be pleased to see him progressing rather than frustrated by his departure. Nuno Espirito Santo could not guarantee Potts regular football in the Championship, and the move to Club Brugge offers him Champions League experience at just 22.

He never scored for West Ham but, ironically, his one and only assist came during a 3-2 defeat at home to Aston Villa. After 28 senior appearances for the Hammers, including a more meaningful breakthrough during the 2025/26 campaign, Potts now has the chance to prove he can operate at an even higher level.