Michail Antonio Nears West Ham Exit but Could Take on New Role at Club

West Ham United have announced that Michail Antonio will not be extending his stay as a senior player, though talks are ongoing regarding a potential future position behind the scenes, Sport360NG reports.

The 35-year-old forward has not featured for the first team since a serious car accident in December, which left him recovering from life-threatening injuries. Manager Graham Potter, speaking during the club’s pre-season tour in Atlanta, recently indicated that Antonio is unlikely to be part of his squad for the upcoming campaign.

Antonio leaves behind a significant legacy at the London club, having racked up 323 appearances over a decade and netting 83 goals. He was a starter in West Ham’s historic UEFA Europa Conference League final victory in 2023, a triumph that ended the club’s 43-year wait for silverware.

Despite not returning to senior action, Antonio did represent Jamaica at the Concacaf Gold Cup this summer and featured in a pre-season match for West Ham’s U21s against Boreham Wood.

The club is understood to be in discussions with Antonio over a potential role in their academy, where he could contribute in coaching and mentoring capacities.

“Michail will always be a cherished and highly regarded part of the West Ham United family,” the club said in a statement. “We remain committed to supporting him in his rehabilitation and will continue to provide access to training facilities and medical resources as needed.”

Antonio joined the Hammers in 2015 from Nottingham Forest in a £7 million deal and went on to become the club’s all-time leading Premier League scorer, with 68 goals in 268 top-flight appearances. He was also named Hammer of the Year in the 2016-17 season, West Ham’s first at the London Stadium.