Premier League striker sighting at Leeds United training ground confirmed — FourFourTwo 12/8/25
By Joe Donnohue
Former West Ham United striker Michail Antonio is out to
prove himself all over again after making a comeback from a broken leg
To many 35-year-old Premier League footballers, a broken leg
and expiring contract might be a signal to call it a day.
For Michail Antonio, the ex-West Ham striker is keen to show
his playing days are not behind him, even after the December 2024 car crash
which he freely admits, almost cost him his life.
Speaking to FourFourTwo at the FA Community Shield Final
between Liverpool and Crystal Palace, the experienced Premier League marksman
was reluctant to discuss the details of his Hammers exit - but insists he's
back to normal and isn't thinking about retiring any time soon.
"I'm still going to play. I'm speaking to a few clubs
right now, I'm just kind of waiting for the right offer to come and move
forward from there.
"I definitely know I'm good. I know I'm fit, just
waiting for the right opportunity. I've had a couple of offers - I'm kind of
just holding out to see if anything better comes," Antonio said.
For the first time in 10 seasons, Antonio will not be
representing the Hammers in 2025-26. After 323 appearances and 83 goals with
the East London club, Antonio is searching for a new team in the twilight of
his career.
"I don't want to speak on that, that's a touchy
subject," Antonio said of his London Stadium departure. "I'm gonna
leave that one to the side. We'll speak about it another time."
The Jamaica international's co-presenter on The Footballer's
Football Podcast, Callum Wilson has joined West Ham on a free transfer this
summer, effectively replacing Antonio in Graham Potter's squad. He told
FourFourTwo he wishes ex-Newcastle striker Wilson all the best in his new
venture.
"I was actually happy for him. And he said it to me on
The Footballer's Football podcast, he said, 'I'm going to take your place.'
"He ended up signing, and he called me afterwards, he
asked me for my number nine shirt, out of respect, which he didn't have to do -
but he actually called me up and said, 'Look, I want to take number nine. Do
you want it?'
"I was like, 'To be honest, before me, I would have
said you wouldn't want it, because the record wasn't the best. But obviously
I've done it well for you right now.'
"He's gone in there, and I'm happy for him. Me and him,
we're very close, we speak all the time and stuff like that. So I'm hoping that
he goes in there and does well." Antonio added.
Among the offers Antonio has received this summer are
proposals from abroad. Whilst open to playing outside England, Antonio wants to
put his family first and therefore a move closer to home is preferred.
Last week, Antonio was sighted at Leeds United's Thorp Arch
training facility, sparking rumours online that the Whites could be making a
move for the ex-Hammers man.
Antonio confirmed to FourFourTwo his business in Yorkshire
was related to a new sports supplements company he has founded, and similar
visits were made to Ipswich Town and Oxford United, among others.