West Ham are tracking 21-year-old right-back Oliver Johansen Braude as a possible replacement for Vladimir Coufal, according to a report from Hammers.news. With Coufal leaving this summer, the club is weighing up defensive options, and Braude has emerged as a name of interest.
Currently playing for SC Heerenveen in the Eredivisie, Braude was previously on trial at Barcelona, Ajax and Liverpool as a teenager. Give Me Sport reports that West Ham aren’t alone in monitoring the Norwegian, with Bournemouth, Everton, Aston Villa and Fulham also keeping tabs. Fulham are believed to be the most active among them, reportedly bracing for Kenny Tete’s potential move to Everton.
Standout Performances in the Eredivisie
Braude has made over 60 appearances for Heerenveen since making his debut in 2023. He ended the 2024/25 campaign leading the team in progressive carries, tackles, blocks and goal-creating actions. That all-round impact earned him Heerenveen’s Player of the Year award.
He also featured on the 2024 Golden Boy Index, a ranking of Europe’s top young prospects, alongside Lamine Yamal, Alejandro Garnacho and Joao Neves. Speaking to Norwegian outlet TV2, Braude called the recognition “incredibly cool.”
Grounded Personality Drawing Praise
Despite the growing attention, Braude seems unfazed. Speaking to TV2, he said: “It’s nice that people notice your development. That’s a big compliment and it makes me feel good. I focus on the field, everything that happens outside of it is for my agent.”
He added that his agent doesn’t keep him in the loop day to day, saying, “It’s not like he calls me every day to talk about other clubs. Certainly not. We’ll see.”
At 5ft 9in, he’s not the most physically commanding, but TV2 note that his consistency, stamina and technique have turned heads. Inspired by Trent Alexander-Arnold, Braude combines attacking flair with dependable defensive work.
West Ham Begin Defensive Overhaul
Graham Potter’s arrival has kicked off a revamp in West Ham’s defence. Coufal, Aaron Cresswell and Lukasz Fabianski have all departed after the end of their contracts. According to Hammers.news, Potter contacted Coufal directly to confirm the club wouldn’t be offering a new deal.
The report highlights Braude’s “warrior” mindset and technical resilience as traits that reflect Coufal’s style. That blend of attitude and performance is seen as a good match for what West Ham fans tend to appreciate in their full-backs.
