West Ham United have shattered the EFL transfer record by signing Belgian international Arne Engels from Scottish champions Celtic for £22 million. The 22-year-old defender has agreed a five-year contract with the Hammers, who confirmed the fee as a new benchmark for a Championship club. Engels, who can play in midfield, at right-back or on the right wing, will make his debut later this month after joining from Augsburg in 2024 and winning consecutive Scottish Premiership titles with Celtic. The deal surpasses the £17.5m Ipswich Town paid for Sindre Walle Egeli last year. West Ham begin their first Championship campaign since 2012 away to Burnley on Sunday, though Engels will miss the trip but could feature against Charlton Athletic on August 22. Celtic finished third in the Premiership last season with 67 points, ending the campaign on a five-game winning streak and just three points behind leaders Heart of Midlothian.