Mads Hermansen believes West Ham United’s ambitions align perfectly with his own and hopes he and the Hammers will prove to be the perfect footballing fit.
The 25-year-old was an eagerly anticipated signing from Leicester City on the back of a fantastic pair of seasons at King Power Stadium which unsurprisingly drew significant interest from multiple clubs, including the Irons, but Hermansen himself says it was an easy decision, because joining the Club was something he envisaged long before he signed on Saturday.
Born in Odense in July 2000, Hermansen began his craft at local side Næsby Boldklub as a schoolboy, before moving to Brøndby’s Academy at the age of 15 in 2015.
Progressing through the ranks, our new No1 made his senior Brøndby debut in 2020 before becoming first-team starter under the guidance of current Lead First-Team Goalkeeper Coach Casper Ankergren in 2021/22 and was rewarded with the club’s Player of the Year Award in 2022, and made 70 appearances across two-plus seasons, including eleven in UEFA competitions.
Such performances while still in his teens made it clear that Hermansen was destined for a great career, and the next step followed shortly after when he joined EFL Championship side Leicester City in July 2023.
That was shown to be true as, at Leicester in 2023/24, Hermansen’s performances between the sticks - which saw the Foxes concede the fewest goals in the Championship (41 in their 46 games) and Hermansen made 113 saves from the 154 shots he faced during that campaign - helped take his team to the Premier League and earned him a place in the 2023/24 Championship Team of the Season.
Hermansen, who has played for Denmark at every age group from under-16s, has been on the bench for the senior side on 26 occasions but has yet to earn his first cap, and insists a move to east London was the natural step to fulfil his ambition of playing for his country.
To watch our new tall, imposing figure play football, you would think he would have the confident swagger off the pitch that he displays on it.
But that could not be further from the truth.
Without a football in his gloves or at his feet, he is a quiet and reserved person, with a determination and motivation to do his best for himself and his family, who he made sure to bring to Rush Green on his signing day.
And speaking in his first interview with West Ham TV, you immediately sense Hermansen’s drive and determination to be a success, and he says he will do everything he can to help the Club achieve its goals…
Welcome to West Ham United, Mads. How does it feel to be a Hammer?
“Thank you, it feels very good. I'm very happy, I'm very proud to be here, and I can't wait to get started.”
There has been plenty of interest in you this summer, so why did you choose to join us?
“I felt a long time ago that West Ham and I could be a good match. I can definitely see myself playing in the way the team wants to, so it felt natural all the way, so West Ham was a pretty easy choice.”
You become just the fourth Danish men’s player to represent West Ham United - following Frederik Alves, Lars Jacobsen and Marc Rieper. That must be incredibly special for you?
“It’s very special. One of my good friends, Frederik Alves, who I played with at Brøndby, was the last one to be here, so I heard a lot of great things about the Club. I can't wait.”
Do you have any memories of West Ham United or playing against us? You faced 31 shots in December 2024 and made seven saves, one of which was quite incredible!
“Yeah, I remember that game, and also our game at London Stadium, which is obviously an amazing stadium. We lost [at London Stadium] with Leicester, but it was a good experience to be there.”
When you look at your career as a whole, how have you found it so far? You were Brøndby’s Player of the Year in 2022 and were in the Championship Team of the Season the season before last, so you must feel like your career is progressing as you’re wanting it to?
“I think I've found a way to always progress and always develop and take all the right steps at the right time, and definitely my move here to West Ham is a great step in my career.
“Ever since my time at Brøndby as a young player, I've been very focused on how I could become the best player I can be, and that's obviously what I will try to continue doing here.”
Do you have a particular style as a goalkeeper?
“First of all, I love to keep the ball out of the net, but apart from that, I like to participate in the build-up play, and I think I'm quite good at creating relationships between me and the defenders, so we always have good communication and feel trust in each other, so I would love to come in and give that to the team as well.”
Are you looking forward to the challenge of playing in the Premier League again, having enjoyed a successful first season last year on a personal level?
“Yeah, a lot, and obviously the Premier League is special to be in. I had a year last year, obviously a bit difficult with Leicester, but I can't wait to play and stay in the Premier League.”
You join the Club at a time when there is a lot of excitement surrounding the goalkeeping department, following the recent appointment of Casper Ankergren, who you worked with at Brøndby. Tell us about your relationship with him and how much you’re looking forward to working with him again?
“I worked a few years with him at Brøndby, and I think we share the way we think about goalkeeping, and we share the way we see football, so there's a good match there, and I can't wait to keep developing with him.”
The quality of the goalkeepers in the building already is pretty impressive. How do you feel you can add to that and help ensure everyone pushes each other forwards?
"I can't wait to meet all the other 'keepers. I heard great things about all of them. I can't wait to work together with them and get to know them and push each other in the best direction.”
You’ve represented Denmark at every age-group level from U16s to U21s and were part of Denmark’s Euro 2024 squad. How beneficial do you think a move to West Ham will be in bolstering your international career and earning your first senior cap too?
“That’s of course a big dream of mine, to play and represent Denmark. I think that would be one of the biggest accomplishments of my career, to play for Denmark, so that's of course also a plus in going to West Ham and taking that step in my career that I can push for the spot in the national team.”
Have you had a chance to speak with Graham Potter about what he expects from you?
“No, I haven't spoken to him yet, but I've spoken to [Casper] Ankergren, and I've been filled in on what the Head Coach expects from me.”
What can the West Ham fans expect from you?
“I think always being brave. I like to be brave on the pitch and come with good energy and help the team in the best way I can.”
How excited are you to play in front of 62,500 West Ham United fans and to experience their passion at London Stadium?
“That's what you dream of as a footballer, and I can't wait to meet all of them.”
What’s your final message to the Claret and Blue Army?
“My message to the Claret and Blue Army is that I will always do my best, I will always push myself, and I just look forward to meeting everyone, and I will do everything I can to help the Club achieve its goals.”
