Skip to content

LEAGUES News

Jose Fonte departs for China after disappointing West Ham stint

Bryn Lennon / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Jose Fonte agreed to move to Dalian Yifang of the Chinese Super League on Friday following a forgettable 13 months with West Ham United.

The Portuguese defender joined the Hammers for around £8 million in January 2017, but only made 24 appearances for the club. Fonte was restricted to just eight league starts this season as he dealt with a foot injury.

The 34-year-old shifts to a side with a strong presence of Chinese players, but one that also calls upon the services of 17-time Zimbabwean international Nyasha Mushekwi, and Yannick Boli and Mate Males, who have one cap each for Ivory Coast and Croatia, respectively.

Fonte was with Southampton for seven years before leaving for West Ham, and won back-to-back promotions with the Saints in 2011 and 2012. His finest achievement came when he won Euro 2016 with his country, partnering with Pepe in a formidable backline.

RELATED NEWS

Brad Marchand and Tyler Bertuzzi mixed it up before Trent Fr...
No call after Bertuzzi, Marchand go at it before Frederic's goal 🤔
TORONTO HAS THE ICEBREAKER 🧊 It's Mitch Marner (@Marner93)...
Knies breaks deadlock off Marner's marvellous feed 🍽️
“Utah!”
Utah is ready for some hockey 🗣️
Max Domi and Jeremy Swayman collide during the TV timeout 👀
Domi's playing games with Swayman 🤪
is this what you call a pop out ⚾️🍿 (via @BallySportsSO)
No glove, no problem: Braves fan has baseball land in popcorn bucket 🍿
3-STRAIGHT TRIPLES FOR JB 🎯🎯🎯 Jaylen (21 PTS) and the Ce...
Jaylen Brown cashes 3 straight threes in 21-point 1st half vs. Heat 🔥
We take those 🫡 #BravesCountry
Braves score after Marlins' Sánchez commits balk on imaginary pickoff 😳
Gunnar Henderson can do it all 😮‍💨
Orioles' Henderson shows off massive arm to take hit away from Angels 🎯
Francisco Lindor: ABSOLUTELY CRUSHED 😤
Lindor continues huge day with 2nd HR of game 🚀
Cowboys exercise fifth-year option on Micah Parsons