West Ham United Signs Esports Player
Premier League side West Ham United has become the first UK football club to sign a professional video gamer, with the signing of eSports player Sean Allen.
The 24-year-old, known by his gaming name Dragonn, will represent the club at FIFA video game competitions, with his first game as a West Ham United player at the Play Like A Legend grand final, which ends on 9th May.
It follows from David Bytheway becoming the first British pro-gamer to join a club when he signed for German side Wolfsburg last year.
Allen has been given squad number 50 and was runner-up at this year’s 2016 Interactive World Cup. The prize fund for this year’s FIFA Interactive World Cup was $20,000 (£13,850) at a grand final in New York after 1.2 million people entered.
West Ham United manager, Slaven Bilic said: “This is a big move for West Ham United. I have heard that Sean is a big player in the eSports arena so I am delighted we have managed to secure his services.
“I hope he can now go on to represent the club with pride across the globe – he will certainly have the support of all the lads whenever he dons the claret and blue.”
