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Add as preferred source on Google<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\nDo not be surprised if Nils Koppen, West Ham United\u2019s new Director of Player Recruitment, puts a real emphasis on the Danish market this summer.<\/strong><\/p>\n Koppen left Copenhagen for East London, after all.<\/p>\n And even before<\/em> his nine month spell in the Scandinavian capital, the former Rangers and PSV Eindhoven talent-spotter had been keeping a keen eye on developments in Denmark. Koppen took Mohamed Diomande to Rangers from FC Nordsjaelland, after all.<\/p>\n When will the new signings arrive? \ud83e\udd71<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n The 41-year-old Belgian also watched on as Norwich City raided the Superliga for prolific Aussie Mo Toure in January. <\/p>\n Philippe Clement, the Canaries coach who Koppen knows well from their time together at Ibrox and KRC Genk, has Norwich supporters hoping that they will be in position to challenge West Ham United and co for an automatic promotion spot in 2026\/27. Toure, outstanding since his arrival, could make that a possibility.<\/p>\n Speaking of West Ham, according to\u00a0El Diario, Midtjylland and Ecuador midfielder Denil Castillo is a target in East London. A 22-year-old midfielder who was part of his nation\u2019s World Cup squad, Castillo was part of the Midtjylland side who beat Koppen\u2019s Copenhagen in the final of the Danish Cup in May.<\/p>\n Looking back at what Koppen told Anglian publication the Pink \u2018Un last month, no one should be shocked to learn that Koppen may be looking to bring a Denmark-based talent with him to West Ham.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Danish league is quite physical and has a good mentality,\u201d Koppen said, speaking as Norwich followed up the signings of Pelle Mattson, Mathias Kvistgaarden and ex-Brondby playmaker Anis Ben Slimane with the aforementioned Toure; nine goals in 11 Championship matches after joining the Canaries from Randers. <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a very interesting market for Norwich. They\u2019ve had success with Mattsson and Toure. Kvistgaarden is a bit different, and Slimane is a physical type with really good technique. It\u2019s a league where you can still find undervalued players who can have a good career in the Championship.\u201d<\/p>\n Koppen had particular praise Mattsson, a powerhouse midfielder who can \u2018cover ground, win duels and can run through a wall\u2019. West Ham\u2019s own engine room is arguably lacking such a profile \u2013 especially after Mateus Fernandes completed an \u00a385 million move to Tottenham.<\/p>\n The 6ft 2ins Castillo may therefore be a welcome addition. The five-time Ecuador international uses his long legs and elastic frame to hold off defenders, shielding the ball before carrying it forwards and skipping through challenges.<\/p>\n Castillo also possesses an impressive turn of pace and a balletic elegance which belies his size.<\/p>\n Perhaps unsurprisingly, given his position and his nationality, Castillo has been likened to Chelsea\u2019s \u00a3115 million talisman Moises Caicedo; a destroyer and a playmaker rolled into one 6ft 2ins package.<\/p>\n Stats side Football Kit highlight the defensive statistics which rank \u2018remarkably\u2019 similarly to those of Caicedo at Stamford Bridge. Castillo averages nearly eight ball recoveries per game and wins 50 per cent of his duels compared to Caicedo\u2019s 52 per cent. <\/p>\n Football Kit add that Castillo \u2018excels\u2019 when pressuring the opponents high up the pitch and winning the ball in the attacking half.<\/p>\n \u201cThe young Ecuadorian is a prime example of the new-age defensive midfielder,\u201d they write. \u201cPrimarily a ball-winning midfielder, he possesses the tactical intelligence to also function as a deep-lying playmaker, dictating tempo from the base of midfield. <\/p>\n Tell us below \ud83d\udc47<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n \u201cHis frame gives him a physical advantage in duels, which he leverages with impressive technical skill from his preferred right foot.<\/p>\n \u201cThe closest statistical comparison in the English Premier League is his compatriot, Moises Caicedo, during his time at Brighton. Both players exhibit a similar high volume of pressures, impressive ball recovery numbers, and a balanced approach to winning the ball through both tackles and interceptions, marking them as all-action midfielders.\u201d<\/p>\n Koppen has spoken about the need to be \u2018creative\u2019 in the market and think \u2018outside the box\u2019 in pursuit of affordable, under-the-radar additions. <\/p>\n Five years after Brighton snapped up a little-known Caicedo in a \u00a34 million deal from Independiente del Valle, if West Ham were to find similar value in Castillo, this would be a pretty promising start to the Koppen era.<\/p>\nOnly \u00a31m spent\u2026 How are you feeling about West Ham\u2019s slow summer?<\/h3>\n
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<\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\nNils Koppen could bring Denil Castillo to West Ham United<\/h2>\n
![\"Denil](\"https:\/\/cdn1.hammers.news\/uploads\/25\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2281147816-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/div>Castillo has been compared to Chelsea ace Moises Caicedo<\/h2>\n
If you could pick ONE signing to kick off the Nils Koppen era, who are you choosing?<\/h3>\n