West Ham United is pleased to confirm the return of Republic of Ireland international goalkeeper Darren Randolph to the Club.
The 32-year-old joins the Hammers on a three-and-a-half-year contract for an undisclosed fee from Championship side Middlesbrough – the club he moved to from east London in the summer of 2017.
He excelled during his two-and-a-half seasons for Boro, being voted into the EFL Championship PFA Team of the Year and Middlesbrough’s Player of the Year in 2019.
Randolph, of course, played for the Irons in the historic final game at the Boleyn Ground against Manchester United in May 2016 and the first-ever match played at London Stadium, a UEFA Europa League qualifying win over Domzale of Slovenia, three months later.
It’s a great feeling to be back in the Premier League with such a fantastic club, and I can’t wait to get started
Darren Randolph
“I’m delighted to be back at West Ham United. I had two great years at the Club previously and still have a lot of friends here, so I had no hesitation in coming back,” he said. “West Ham is a massive club, with fantastic supporters and an excellent squad of players.
“It’s a great challenge for me and I am really looking forward to working with the goalkeepers here and helping the team in any way I can.
“I’d like to thank everyone at Middlesbrough – the management, staff, players and fans – for their support. I had a great time there and wish them all the very best for the rest of the season.
“This opportunity was simply too good to turn down, though. It’s a great feeling to be back in the Premier League with such a fantastic club, and I can’t wait to get started.”
An experienced, consistent goalkeeper with 42 caps for his country, Randolph began his career with Irish junior club Ardmore Rovers before moving to English football with Charlton Athletic at the age of 16 in 2005.
After loan spells with Accrington Stanley and Gillingham, Randolph made his Premier League debut for the Addicks in a 2-2 draw with Liverpool at Anfield in May 2007.
Following further loan spells with Bury and Hereford United, Randolph moved north of the border to join Scottish Premier League club Motherwell, for whom he started the 2011 Scottish Cup final. Randolph’s outstanding form and consistency saw him voted into the PFA Scotland Team of the Year in both 2011/12 and 2012/13, helping the Steelmen to finish second in the Scottish Premier League in the latter.
After making his senior Ireland debut in 2012, Randolph returned to England with Birmingham City in 2013, where he starred for two seasons before moving to West Ham on a free transfer.
Randolph’s two seasons in east London were filled with unforgettable moments, including a memorable 3-0 Premier League win at Liverpool in August 2015 – the Hammers’ first at Anfield since 1963 – and the aforementioned 3-2 victory over Manchester United in the emotional final game at the Boleyn Ground.
In all, Randolph played 42 times across his two seasons, battling the popular Adrian for a place in Bilic’s starting XI before joining Middlesbrough in the summer of 2017.
West Ham United would like to welcome Darren and his family back to east London and wish him every success for his career in Claret and Blue.
