Arne Engels forced to watch on as new club West Ham suffer stoppage time collapse

Arne Engels did not sign for West Ham in time to be involved in their opening league game on Sunday. The now former Celtic star became the EFL's most expensive player of all time when he joined the Irons on a £22million deal on Saturday.

Engels was always expected to leave the Bhoys this summer, but it was expected the move would be to the Premier League. But West Ham are armed with big money this summer after selling Mateus Fernandes and Crysencio Summerville for more than £140million combined, and Engels replaced the former, becoming their flagship signing as they look to secure an instant return to the Premier League.

Engels forced to watch over Hammers collapse

Engels could only watch his new team's first Championship game on Sunday due to not signing in time for the EFL's registration deadline, which is on Fridays during a transfer window.

It looked good for the Hammers, who took a 2-0 lead away to Burnley, who will also fancy their chances this season. Max Kilman scored the first and summer signing Manor Solomon looked to have won it in the 82nd minute.

But the home side had other ideas, and Zian Flemming pulled one back from the spot with six minutes of normal time remaining, and he then went on to score the equaliser two minutes into stoppage time.

Solomon's reflections

Goalscorer Solomon, who joined from Tottenham this summer, said after the game: “I was really, really happy with my first goal for the Club. In the first half I think we played well - we created opportunities, and we pressed well.

“Then, in the second half, we didn’t play as we should have. We were leading and the game was in our hands, but I think we lacked control. We didn’t dominate or play with the ball, and we didn’t create enough chances.

“I think we invited some of their attacks, so overall we’re disappointed. We knew it was going to be a tough game against Burnley, but you still need to control the ball and have more maturity, so we’ll take the point today and go away and keep working.”