'Done Deal': West Ham striker frozen out by Nuno secures January loan exit

West Ham striker Callum Marshall has departed on loan for the remainder of the 2025/26 season, putting pen to paper on a deal with German 2. Bundesliga side VfL Bochum.

At one point this term, it had looked as if the 21-year-old could have a breakthrough season with the Hammers. Marshall scored nine goals on loan at Huddersfield Town in League One last year and has seen increasing minutes with the Northern Ireland international side.

There had been talk of another loan move for the striker last summer but he was kept at the London Stadium with a lack of goalscoring options for Graham Potter. Marshall made one matchday squad under Potter and was named on the bench for Nuno Espirito Santo’s first match in charge against Everton.

West Ham striker praised by Nuno leaves London Stadium

The rising star was then handed cameos off the bench against Arsenal and Brentford, being chosen to make an impact ahead of the experienced Callum Wilson. Speaking about the competition for a place at the time, Nuno said: “[Wilson vs Marshall is] a healthy fight for a position. Two different players, two different generations, but we count on both of them to try and solve our problems.”

After the defeat to Arsenal, Nuno also tipped Marshall to continue to have an impact for the side. He said: “What I've been seeing in training sessions, his energy, he's a good finisher, good mobility, he can recognise the gaps in the space, he has a good chance, even though he's not a strong boy against a very tough centre-half, he managed to get the header, so I think we have something that we can use.”

However, Marshall has now not featured in a matchday squad since the 1-1 draw with Manchester United at the start of December. The arrivals of Taty Castellanos and Pablo have also pushed him down the pecking order.

Callum Marshall secured VfL Bochum loan

A club statement on Wednesday confirmed: “Callum Marshall has joined German 2. Bundesliga club VfL Bochum on loan until the end of the 2025/26 season. The 21-year-old Northern Ireland international striker will link up with Bochum, coached by former Manchester City forward Uwe Rösler, at their winter training camp in Belek, Türkiye.

“The 2023 FA Youth Cup and U18 Premier League South winner made his Premier League debut as a substitute at Arsenal in October, and also featured off the bench against Brentford at London Stadium later the same month. Marshall spent last season on loan at Huddersfield Town in EFL League One, where he scored ten goals and won the Terriers’ Player of the Year award.

“He will now continue his development at the Ruhrstadion, where tenth-place Bochum will hope to mount a challenge to reach the promotion places in the second half of the season. Marshall could make his debut at home to third-place SV Darmstadt on Sunday 18 January. Everyone at West Ham United wishes Callum the very best for his loan spell in Germany.”

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