90min

Saïd Benrahma Arranges Brentford Staff Bonus Following West Ham Switch

By James Cormack

Said Benrahma joins West Ham on an initial loan from Brentford
Said Benrahma joins West Ham on an initial loan from Brentford / Alex Burstow/Getty Images
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How about this for a feel-good story, eh?

West Ham new-boy Saïd Benrahma has arranged for a bonus to be paid to over 100 support staff at Brentford who aided his development at the club.

The Algerian's ascent in the Championship was rapid following his £1.5m switch from Nice two years ago, immediately evolving into a hero at Brentford with ten goals and 15 assists in his debut campaign. He followed that up with a scintillating 17-goal season last time out as the Bees fell one game short of gaining promotion to the top flight.

The Algerian emerged as, arguably, the Championship's premier performer during his two-year spell at Griffin Park
The Algerian emerged as, arguably, the Championship's premier performer during his two-year spell at Griffin Park / Warren Little/Getty Images

Nevertheless, Benrahma's displays eventually saw him earn his big Premier League switch to West Ham on the stroke of Friday's EFL transfer deadline.

A complicated deal was finally agreed between the two clubs, with the Algeria international joining the Hammers on a season-long loan before inevitably making the switch permanent at the end of the campaign.

The agreement will be subject to further tests on the issues that showed up in his medical, one of a few complications surrounding the deal.

Sky Sports understands one of the other difficulties over the transfer was a loyalty bonus that Benrahma believed he was due upon leaving Brentford.

This was not in his contract and Benrahma, during a meeting on Wednesday, suggested the club give "some money" to the many support staff that aided his development during his time at the club.

It's believed that over 100 staff will benefit from a bonus as a direct result of Benrahma's switch to east London.

The 25-year-old was David Moyes' fourth addition of the recently closed transfer window, with Watford's Craig Dawson and Slavia Prague pair Tomas Soucek and Vladimir Coufal joining Benrahma at the London Stadium.

Upon the Algerian's arrival, Moyes said: "I'm delighted to welcome Said to West Ham United. He is a player who has had a lot of recognition for his performances with Brentford in the Championship. There has been a lot of interest shown in him so we are very pleased that he has decided to join us."