Leeds United’s key Premier League rivals have strengthened their ranks.

Leeds United’s key struggling rivals West Ham have bolstered their ranks with a loan deal for an international winger with a purchase option at the end of the campaign.

The Hammers have endured a torrid time of things so far this term and remain in the Premier League’s relegation zone despite last weekend’s huge 2-1 win at Tottenham Hotspur.

Despite the victory, the Irons sit eight points behind fifth-bottom Leeds and also five points adrift of fourth-bottom Nottingham Forest.

In a bid to get themselves out of trouble, the London outfit had already signed attacking duo Pablo Felipe and Taty Castellanos for a combined outlay of nearly £50m.

In a third move of the January transfer window. the Hammers have now snapped up Venezuelan international winger Keiber Lamadrid on loan for the rest of the campaign.

Lamadrid, 22, a versatile midfielder, joins the club from Venezuelan Super Cup holders Deportivo La Guaira as part of a deal which gives the Irons the option to buy the attacker in the summer, reportedly for around £1m.

The winger has one cap for Venezuela to his name and has made 103 appearances for Deportivo La Guaira for whom he has scored 14 goals and bagged seven assists.

A statement from West Ham United read: “West Ham United is pleased to announce the signing of promising young Venezuela international winger Keiber Lamadrid on loan for the rest of the 2025/26 season.

“The 22-year-old arrives from Venezuelan Super Cup holders Deportivo La Guaira, with an option to make the transfer permanent in the summer.

“Nothing is impossible”

“Lamadrid, who has not played competitively since the 2025 Liga FUTVE season concluded in early December, will initially continue his physical conditioning with the Club’s medical team, having only recently commenced a pre-season schedule.

“Born in Caracas, Lamadrid earned his first senior cap for Venezuela in November. He has played over 100 times for Deportivo La Guaira since debuting at the age of 18 and was named Best Under-23 Player in the Venezuelan top-flight for the 2025 season.”

Vowing that “nothing is impossible”, Lamadrid said: “It's an incredible opportunity to be here at this beautiful club.

“I thank God first of all, and all the people who helped me get here. I also thank my family, who always supported me. For me, it's a dream to be here.

“I'm excited to grow as a person, as a player, and I want to do well at this club. I want to adapt as quickly as possible, to continue growing as a player and open doors again for Venezuelan football. Nothing is impossible.”