Having been named in West Ham United’s squad ahead of The Soccer Tournament (TST), boyhood Hammer Devin Vega is relishing the opportunity to represent the Club he supported growing up on the other side of the world.
With local grassroots side ‘Hammers’, created by his West Ham-supporting Dad, located close to the family home in San Antonio, Texas, it became a place where a young Vega spent the majority of his early years, learning the fundamentals to turn professional with United Soccer League club San Antonio FC in 2017 and become a Puerto Rico international.
Vega, 26, has won 12 caps for El Huracán Azul, having won his first back in 2019, and has also featured for Phoenix Rising, FC Tucson and Real Monarchs between 2017-20.
Meanwhile, he also coaches youngsters in Texas alongside Dillon Vedral, who has been announced as our Head Coach at TST, and played up with his coach for Team USA at the 7v7 Kings League World Cup in Italy in early 2025, scoring two goals before the USA lost on penalties to Morocco in the quarter-finals.
It’s the wish of every West Ham football fan - to don their Club colours and play the beautiful game for their beloved team.
It’s a fantasy realised by few, but in just a few days’ time, Vega will live that dream in North Carolina.
“When I got the call, it was a no-brainer because when I was in my youth, my Dad created a Hammers team, and once he created that club, I just fell in love with West Ham, so getting to wear the badge is the culmination of a lifelong dream,” he beamed.
“When I was younger, I was always looking up to the team and the Premier League and was watching West Ham every time I could, so getting to put the famous Claret and Blue colours on feels very special.
“It's crazy that I wore the shirt as a supporter when I was younger, and I’m now getting to wear it and play alongside Anton [Ferdinand], James [Collins], Ricardo [Vaz Tê] and Mauro [Zárate], players who I grew up watching as a child. You hear those names, and you get excited, and it's something I really look forward to.”
The Hammers have been drawn in Group G alongside La Liga’s Villarreal CF, Tenfifteen FC and Brown Ballers FC, while an added friendly against German Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund has been scheduled at 6pm EST (11pm BST) on Monday 2 June. For more information, including kick-off times and where you can watch live streams of our games, click HERE.
The Claret and Blue Army will be instantly familiar with cult heroes Collins, Vaz Tê and Zárate, who have all been named in the Hammers’ squad, while we also announced the exciting addition of India international winger Rahul KP.
West Ham fans, however, are unlikely to recognise the names of the other players who will represent the Club at TST, so click HERE as we introduce you to them ahead of the 48-team tournament featuring legends, sportspeople, celebrities and influencers from all over the world.
And Vega is confident the Irons can lift the TST World Championship across the pond, while he hopes his experience will aid their journey.
He added: “I've been a professional for a couple of years and got to play in the USL (United Soccer League) and with the USA [at Kings League] and Puerto Rico’s national team.
“I’ve experienced a lot of different challenges, different areas and getting to play first-team football, so it’s been a great experience, and I'm ready to compete again in that environment at TST.
“I’m the kind of player that's going to look to create and someone that's going to try to put his teammates in the best positions that we can, but also a player that's going to work hard and give everything I can, not only for myself but for the team.
“One hundred percent [we can win the TST World Championship], and I know everybody's going to have the same mindset.
“Everybody wants to win the prize and wants to do it for not just ourselves but this Club as well.
“What I'm also excited about is meeting the fans out there, sharing what we in the United States know about West Ham and being able to wear their shirt and compete for not just the tournament but for our incredible fans as well.
“It's an opportunity I've looked forward to my whole life, and I'll be looking to provide everything I can as a teammate and individually, and I'm ready to go and take the Championship.”
