West Ham are set to announce their first signing of the January window, with Darren Randolph returning to the club after a spell with Middlesbrough.
Darren Randolph Returns To West Ham
BREAKING: West Ham have agreed a £4million deal to sign goalkeeper Darren Randolph from Middlesbrough
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) January 6, 2020
Previous Spell
Following a two-year period with Birmingham City, Randolph moved to West Ham at the beginning of the 2015/16 season.
During his first season with the Hammers, he made just 15 appearances, only six of which came in the Premier League. The Irishman was second choice, behind now-Liverpool goalkeeper Adrian.
However, Randolph overtook Adrian as the first choice goalkeeper midway through the 2016-17 season. He made a total of 24 appearances, keeping just five clean sheets.
Time With Middlesbrough
In search of regular appearances, the 32-year-old dropped down a division to join Middlesbrough in the Championship – and since his arrival, he has impressed the Riverside crowd.
He featured in all 46 games in back-to-back Championship seasons, helping Middlesbrough finish in fifth and seventh retrospectively.
During that spell he also kept a remarkable 36 clean sheets, which helped him secure his place in the 2018-19 Championship Team of the Season.
Despite starting the season as Jonathan Woodgate’s first-team goalkeeper, he has lost his place in the side to youngster Aynsley Pears.
Darren Randolph Will Return To West Ham As Second-Choice
Darren Randolph may return to West Ham how he left, as it appears unlikely that he will be able to dislodge Lukasz Fabianski.
The Polish international spent a prolonged period on the sidelines during the first-half of the season, which coincided with the Hammers downturn in form.
Former West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini flirted between Roberto and David Martin to deputise for Fabianski. However, neither of the two could live up to the standards set by the first-choice ‘keeper.
As a result, it has caused West Ham to search for a capable deputy for Fabianski, with Randolph being the chosen candidate to take up the role.
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