West Ham United can confirm that Angelo Ogbonna and Joseph Anang will leave the Club when their respective contracts expire on 30 June 2024.
The Club can also confirm that it remains in talks with Ben Johnson and Divin Mubama regarding potential new contracts.
Ogbonna departs after nine memorable years in east London. The Italy international defender made 249 appearances in Claret and Blue after joining from Juventus in July 2015, including one as a substitute in the 2023 UEFA Europa Conference League final win over ACF Fiorentina.
The centre-back, who turned 36 on 23 May, became a popular figure among his team-mates, managers, coaches and supporters alike, who fondly christened him ‘Uncle Ange’ in recognition of his experience, leadership and warm personality.
Ogbonna played a big role in West Ham’s historic final season at the Boleyn Ground in 2015/16, was Hammer of the Year runner-up in 2019/20, and has been a part of the Irons’ resurgence in recent seasons, climaxing with that unforgettable night in Prague in June last year.
During his time in east London, Ogbonna scored 13 goals – including memorable headers in cup wins over Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur – and captained the side on more than a dozen occasions. He was also selected for Italy’s squad for UEFA Euro 2016.
Young goalkeeper Anang departs after seven years with the Club. Born in Ghana, Anang moved to London as a teenager and turned professional in 2018. Since then, he has had loan spells at EFL clubs Stevenage and Derby County and starred for Irish side St Patrick’s Athletic in the UEFA Europa Conference League qualifying rounds in 2022, while also being capped at England U20 level.
Anang has served as No3 goalkeeper for the past two seasons and has appeared in over 30 first-team matchday squads, including six as West Ham won the UEFA Europa Conference League last term.
West Ham United would like to thank Angelo and Joseph for their hard work and commitment during their careers in Claret and Blue and wish them the very best in the future.
Development squad players Jacob Knightbridge, Keenan Appiah-Forson and Dan Chesters, along with scholars Liam Jones, Jerry Umolu, Seb Boothe and Blaise Uwandji, will also leave the Club this summer.
Former England U17 international Knightbridge made 22 appearances for the U21s this season, having spent the 2022/23 season on loan at Harrow Borough in the Southern League Premier Division South.
Appiah-Forson, meanwhile, was loaned to Dagenham & Redbridge, making 27 appearances in England’s fifth tier, while Chesters spent the second half of the season at EFL League Two side Salford City.
The Club would also like to thank Jacob, Keenan, Dan, Liam, Jerry, Seb and Blaise for their service and wish them well for the future.
