Premier League Club Re-Signs 40-Year-Old Player Four Months After Release

The player guarded West Ham’s net in 17 matches and departed the London club at the end of May following the conclusion of his previous contract.

Polish goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski, 40, has made a surprising return to West Ham United, just four months after his contract with the Premier League club expired.

Last season, Lukasz Fabianski guarded West Ham’s net in 17 matches, 14 of which were in the league. He departed the London club at the end of May following the conclusion of his previous contract, but remarkably, he is back as a West Ham player less than four months later.

“I’m very, very happy to be back, because this club means a lot to me. The people here do too. Seeing them again was lovely, very pleasant,” Fabianski stated.

“I’ve always been, and will continue to be, a player who puts the team above personal objectives. I believe people see me as a good person to have around and in the squad.”

Hammers manager Graham Potter commented, “It’s a transfer that makes sense for everyone. Lukasz knows the club very well; he’s highly respected and popular here. His personality and character will serve as a great example, especially for our younger players. He’s someone who genuinely cares about West Ham and wants to help us in any way he can.”

The transfer comes as Mads Hermansen, the goalkeeper brought in this summer for €21 million to be the presumed starter, has had a shaky start to the season.

His performances in the first two league matches were disappointing, with a 3-0 loss to Sunderland and a 5-1 defeat to Chelsea. However, the Dane redeemed himself in the third round with a 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest. Hermansen’s primary backup is Alphonse Areola.

Lukasz Fabianski has built a long and successful career in top-flight European football. His journey began in Poland before he moved to England, where he became a well-known figure in the Premier League.

Fabianski started his professional career at Legia Warsaw, where he quickly made an impact. During his time at the club from 2005 to 2007, he won the Ekstraklasa title in the 2005/06 season. He was also recognised for his talent by being named Goalkeeper of the Season in both the 2005/06 and 2006/07 campaigns.

In 2007, Fabianski joined Arsenal. While often serving as a backup goalkeeper during his seven years with the Gunners, he was part of the squad that won the FA Cup in 2014, with his final appearance for the club coming in that final victory over Hull City.

Following his departure from Arsenal, Fabianski moved to Swansea City in 2014. It was during his four seasons with the Welsh club that he established himself as a prominent Premier League goalkeeper.

He was a consistent presence in the team, missing only three top-flight matches during his tenure. His standout performances earned him the Swansea City Player of the Year award for the 2017/18 season.

His strong form at Swansea led to a move to West Ham United in 2018. Fabiański became a key figure for the Hammers, and his contributions were recognised with the Hammer of the Year award in his first season. He was a vital part of the squad that achieved three top-nine Premier League finishes between the 2020/21 and 2023/24 seasons.

His most notable achievement with West Ham came in 2023, when he lifted the UEFA Europa Conference League trophy. After a brief period as a free agent, Fabianski, at 40 years old, rejoined West Ham on a one-year contract in September 2025.

On the international stage, Fabianski was a long-serving member of the Polish national team, earning 57 caps between 2006 and 2021. He represented Poland at multiple major tournaments, including the FIFA World Cups in 2006 and 2018 and the UEFA European Championships in 2008, 2016, and 2020.