Five facts about West Ham summer signing Alex Kral

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Alex Kral completed a deadline day move to West Ham United to make it four signings for the Londoners.

What’s the story?

The Irons were chasing improvements across midfielder, and after signing Nikola Vlasic, David Moyes wanted one more.

It came in the form of the Czech Republic international, who competed at Euro 2020.

West Ham signed the ace on a season-long loan deal with an option of a permanent transfer next summer.

But, after completing a move, what is there to know about the 20-year-old?

Kral made his international debut against a raft of Liverpool/Everton players

The first fact.

Kral debuted against Brazil on the 26th March 2019 against a raft of Premier League stars.

Alisson, Roberto Firmino and Richarlison were the Premier League natives who were part of a Brazil side that beat the Czech 3-1.

Having already garnered experience against English top-flight footballers, he should know what to expect.

He already has two friends at West Ham

The second and most unsurprising fact is that Kral played alongside Tomass Soucek and Vladimir Coufal at Slavia Prague.

However, it was only for a short period with the 23-year-old moving on to CSKA Moscow in September 2019.

Kral is represented by the same agency as international teammate Coufal in K2K.

Kral has only ever scored one league goal in his career

The third is a crazy stat and shows just what sort of role the midfielder will play under Moyes this season.

Kral has only ever scored one league goal in his entire career, for FK Teplice back in March 2018.

You would be hard-pressed to expect Kral anywhere near the final third this season.

He was named in the under-19 European Championship team of the tournament

Back in 2017, at the age of 19 the defensive midfielder was picked by his country for the under-19 European Championships.

The Czech Republic shone, reaching the semi-final stage before a loss to winners, England.

As a result, the player was named in the team of the tournament, alongside the Chelsea star, Mason Mount.

Kral could have been playing for Burnley instead of West Ham

Prior to shining at Spartak Moscow and Euro 2020, the midfielder was linked with a move to Burnley.

It seemed for all the world as though he would join the Clarets, however, FIFA regulations stopped a move.

Under the current rules, players are not allowed to play for more than two clubs in one season.

Prior to joinin Spartak Moscow in September 2019, he had already turned out for Slavia Prague.

Therefore, a move to Turf Moor was off before it was even on.