As stories in football go, few are as remarkable as West Ham United’s latest summer signing Maximilian Kilman's, with it proving there is no right or wrong route to the Premier League.
The defender isn’t the first player to go from non-league to the top-flight but his meteoric rise to the pinnacle of English football comes with a slight twist - he earned 25 caps for the England national futsal team prior to his move to the top.
In 2018, Kilman became the first footballer to directly move from non-league football to the Premier League in ten years, following in the footsteps of Chris Smalling, and has not looked back since.
Having been on the books at Wolverhampton Wanderers since 2018, the defender has completed a transfer to east London where his talents, determination and leadership qualities will surely endear him to the Claret and Blue Army, having been appointed captain at Molineux for the 2023/24 campaign.
Maximilian’s Wolves debut arrived at the end of his first season in Old Gold, when he came on as a substitute in a 1-0 Premier League victory over Fulham on 4 May 2019, while his full debut came on the European stage against Armenian side FC Pyunik in August 2019.
There, and throughout the next six years, Kilman developed into an established Premier League centre-back, and became one of just two outfield players to feature in all 3,420 minutes of top-flight action last season for their clubs, showcasing an outstanding level of consistency for Gary O'Neil's side.
Not only can the west London-born player defend strongly, but he is also capable both of building attacks with his passing, and can cause havoc in the opposition box too.
Now back in his native London, the 6ft 4in defender, who labels himself 'strong, fast and composed on the ball', is eager to continue on improving and reach his highest potential in east London.
Sat in the Chairman’s Lounge at London Stadium for the first time after completing his transfer on Friday, the Irons’ newest signing talked about his switch to the Club, his unique and varied footballing journey, being reunited with new Hammers Head Coach Julen Lopetegui and why he has chosen to continue his football journey in Claret and Blue…
“I’m so delighted to be here and to join such a massive Club, so I just can’t wait to get started and get going” he confirmed. “I just got a call from my agent, and he said that West Ham were interested, and as I’ve said West Ham are a massive Club and I wanted to hear more about it. I’m so glad that it finally got done and that I am here now.
“I had some really good conversations with both of them [Julen Lopetegui and Tim Steidten]. I spoke to the manager a lot and he said about making such a big noise, and that he wants to be more attacking, really try to progress and get this Club in a better position. The Club has done so well in recent years, so we want to keep up that form and grow as much as possible.
“I think it's just his ethos as a coach. He’s implemented his targets, how he wants to be from the start and I think everyone, once they get to know him, will know this is what he’s about. You need to make sure you abide by the rules and make sure you do your best every day. I think he sets such high standards where you have to be on it every day in training and I’m sure that will translate to games.
“He wasn’t with me for such a long time [at Wolves] but I loved every minute working under him. He helped me so much with my career and gave me much more responsibility, so he’s definitely someone that wants to improve players and make sure everyone gets to the top of their game. You will see that the standards in training will rise and everyone wants to perform at the highest level under him.
“I can’t wait because he has had such a good managerial career at the clubs he has been at before and done such a good job at Wolves. I’m delighted to be a part of his team and will be doing the best that I can."
West Ham’s exciting new signing, who has penned a seven-year deal, was born and raised in Chelsea in west London, and joined the academies of Fulham and Gillingham as a youngster.
He made his first senior appearance for south-east London side Welling United, before his real breakthrough came at Maidenhead United. He made 34 appearances in the National League for the Mapgies – managed by Hammers legend Alan Devonshire – catching the eye of Wolves for his big move.
Even now, after 151 appearances for Wolves, and playing a part in the Old Gold’s run to the Europa League quarter-finals in 2019/20 with his performances in the group stage wins over Slovan Bratislava and Beşiktaş, Kilman has never forgotten his humble roots at Maidenhead, a club which gave him the platform to reach his full potential and Premier League stardom.
“My journey has been very different to most other footballers. I played non-league football and futsal, so my route is very unique, but it is part of me and has helped shape me into the player I am today," said Kilman. "I am very grateful for the journey that I have been on as it’s a more humbling journey because I had to work my way up the pyramid ladder in football, but I’ve really enjoyed the journey and it has made me tougher, so I am now in the position where I have got to showcase that and keep improving as a player.
“I did speak to him [Alan Devonshire] a couple of times and actually did an interview with him last season. I went to the stadium and met him. When I was a player at Maidenhead, he told me some amazing stories about while he was at West Ham. He was a FA Cup winner, and his route [into football] is similar to mine as he used to play in non-league.
“Of course I want to do my best. He is a legend and has done so well, but my first focus is to just do my best and see where that takes me.
"I’m strong, fast and composed on the ball, but I know I’ve got a lot to achieve and haven’t hit my peak yet, so I’m just excited to keep on improving as a player and get to my highest potential.”
