While sitting in a taxi, West Ham’s Arne Engels experienced an incredible Celtic coincidence.

West Ham United’s transfer activity is beginning to gather pace with the summer window entering its final week. The Hammers have been relatively cautious during the early stages of the market, with their initial focus centred largely on moving players on. However, the club’s recruitment plans have now started to accelerate as they prepare for their first Championship campaign.

The London club have already suffered the departures of Mateus Fernandes and Crysencio Summerville, two players who played important roles for the team last season. Losing both represents a significant setback, but their exits were largely understandable following West Ham’s relegation from the Premier League.

Manager Nuno Espírito Santo will now be looking towards the players who remain at the London Stadium to help the club respond immediately to relegation. The objective will be clear: secure promotion back to the Premier League at the first opportunity.

Arne Engels becomes West Ham’s statement signing

West Ham have already made several moves in the transfer market, bringing in Keiber Lamadrid and Joel Veltman before making their biggest statement with the signing of Manor Solomon.

However, the arrival of Arne Engels from Celtic has arguably become the centrepiece of their summer recruitment. The Belgian midfielder has joined the Hammers in a deal reportedly worth £22 million, making him the most expensive player ever signed by an EFL club.

The transfer underlines West Ham’s determination to challenge for automatic promotion rather than simply settle for competing in the Championship. With additional business expected before the 1 September deadline, the club’s squad could look considerably different by the time the window closes.

West Ham have also added Joel Piroe on loan from Leeds United, giving Espírito Santo another attacking option as he attempts to build a squad capable of competing at the top end of the division.

Engels’ remarkable Celtic coincidence

Interestingly, Engels experienced an unusual Celtic-related coincidence shortly after arriving in Glasgow.

The 22-year-old joined Celtic during the final stages of the 2024 summer transfer window, completing his move from Belgian side Club Brugge. Soon after his arrival, he discovered that his new team had been drawn against his former club in the Champions League.

What made the moment particularly memorable was where Engels was when he found out about the draw.

The midfielder was travelling in a taxi on his way to Celtic when he watched the Champions League draw unfold. Seeing Club Brugge among Celtic’s opponents immediately caught his attention, given his recent connection with the Belgian club.

Speaking about the draw, Engels explained that he was delighted to discover Celtic would be facing his former side.

“Yes of course, I was watching the draw in a taxi when I was coming to Celtic and I was really happy to see that it was against my old team,” Engels said, via the Celtic Star.

He also highlighted the number of Belgian players involved in the competition, explaining that it would be enjoyable to meet fellow countrymen throughout the Champions League campaign.

Celtic faced Club Brugge in Europe

The unusual coincidence eventually became reality when Celtic welcomed Club Brugge in the Champions League League Phase.

The match took place at Celtic Park on 27 November, with the Belgian side taking the lead through Cameron Carter-Vickers in the first half. Celtic eventually responded after the interval, with Daizen Maeda finding the equaliser.

The match finished level, meaning Engels faced his former club in competitive action only a short time after leaving Belgium for Scotland.

Engels started in midfield for Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic side and played a significant role during their European campaign. Celtic ultimately progressed to the knockout phase before their Champions League journey ended against Bayern Munich.

The Scottish champions were eliminated by the German giants after a closely fought play-off, with Bayern winning 3-2 on aggregate.

For Engels personally, the European campaign represented valuable experience. He started nine of Celtic’s ten Champions League matches and finished the tournament with one goal and three assists.

That exposure will now be valuable to West Ham as they attempt to return to the Premier League.

What Engels can offer West Ham

West Ham will be expecting Engels to make an immediate impact in the Championship following his move from Celtic.

The midfielder enjoyed a productive campaign in Scotland and played his part as Martin O’Neill’s side secured the Premiership title. His technical ability, passing range and vision are among the qualities that attracted West Ham to the Belgian.

Those characteristics could make him an important component of Espírito Santo’s midfield.

Engels averaged 38.33 successful passes per 90 minutes in the Championship last season, completing 82.7 per cent of his attempted passes, according to FotMob. He also averaged 1.93 accurate long balls per match, with a 49.4 per cent success rate.

His creativity is another significant strength. Engels produced 1.88 chances per 90 minutes and created 0.27 big chances, while also averaging 1.30 successful crosses per game.

Those numbers highlight his ability to progress possession and create opportunities from a deeper midfield position.

A potential replacement for Fernandes

West Ham’s decision to sign Engels is particularly understandable following Fernandes’ departure.

The Belgian is capable of operating as a deeper playmaker, where his passing and awareness can help West Ham move the ball through midfield and towards the final third.

Although his defensive contribution may not be his strongest attribute, his technical qualities could compensate for that weakness if Espírito Santo gives him an influential role in possession.

Engels has also demonstrated that he can contribute further forward when required. During his first season with Celtic, he recorded five goals and three assists, showing that he can become a threat around the opposition penalty area.

His Champions League experience adds another positive dimension. Having already competed against some of Europe’s strongest teams, Engels arrives with experience that could benefit a West Ham squad aiming to handle the pressure of a promotion campaign.

For the Hammers, the £22 million investment represents a significant statement of intent. For Engels, meanwhile, the move offers an opportunity to become one of the key players in West Ham’s attempt to return to the Premier League.

After his memorable taxi journey to Celtic and the strange coincidence of being drawn against his former club, Engels has now begun another important chapter of his career in England.