West Ham United sign two-year esports deal with Bundled

English Premier League club, West Ham United has signed a two-year partnership with esports agency, Bundled. The deal will see them expand further into the esports industry.

West Ham was the first UK football club to sign a professional esports player when it employed Sean "Dragoon" Allen in 2016. On November 18 last year, the club also hosted its first esports tournament at their London Stadium home. Basset & Gold collaborated with them as the event’s investment partner and together they offered a £25,000 ($31,464) prize pool. 

West Ham's digital and commercial director, Karim Virani said in a statement: "The club has always been proactive and one of the pioneers in the esports arena, and this partnership is another step on our journey. Bundled is a forward-thinking, dynamic company who are passionate about the esports space, and will help us to continue to grow and be one of the leading Premier League clubs going into this FIFA season and beyond."

The partnership has already begun to bear fruit as West Ham revealed two new FIFA players; Yago "Yago" Gabriel Fawaz and Jas "Jas" Singh. They join the club’s current player, Jamie "Jamboo" Rigden for the FIFA 2019/2020 season.

Bundled managing director Melvyn Wolthers also added: "West Ham is a very well-known club worldwide with a fantastic fanbase. To have been given this opportunity is very special. We are looking forward to two exciting years and to create some special moments with the club and its fans."

Bundled provides services such as organising gaming events, content creation, coaching and performance management for its players. The agency also represents over 30 professional FIFA esports players.