Graham Potter has confirmed that West Ham have signed Kyle Macaulay from Chelsea. After over two years at Stamford Bridge, the 38-year-old recruitment analyst will reunite with the Hammers boss, who replaced Julen Lopetegui at the London Stadium earlier this month.

Macaulay has worked alongside Potter since taking on a role as chief performance analyst at Östersund in 2012. He quickly became a key figure in the 49-year-old's backroom staff, following him to Swansea City, Brighton and then Chelsea, where he worked as chief analyst.

Unfortunately for Enzo Maresca, the Blues have lost Macaulay to a Premier League rival just hours before they face Manchester City. Speaking to reporters ahead of West Ham's clash against Aston Villa this weekend, Potter expressed his delight with the appointment.

READ MORE: Todd Boehly given £160m warning he can't ignore over Chelsea future

READ MORE: Three new signings to play in Man City vs Chelsea as Enzo Maresca given £128m transfer headache

The Hammer boss said: "Kyle’s in, Kyle’s been part of my staff for the last however many years I’ve been coaching since Sweden. So I know him well, he knows me well. It’s a good link between the coach and the club in terms of recruitment, in terms of the hours and depths of conversations that you have to have around recruitment.

"It’s easier to have with Kyle than it is for me because clearly I’m on the pitch and working with the 20-odd players that we’ve got here. So I’m really happy with that appointment, it’s something that was always going to happen.

"It was just a case of when and I’m obviously delighted he’s here," added Potter, who later clarified Macaulay's position. "Yeah, he’s head of recruitment. So again to provide a link between myself, the coach, and the club to make the best decisions we can.

"Recruitment is about having lots of conversations and lots of work to make the right decision. And the reality of it is coaches and head coaches in the Premier League these days, the time on that in a global market is nearly impossible. To have somebody like Kyle to help in that regard is great for us and great for me."

Potter was then asked how Macaulay's arrival impacts Tim Steidten and his role as a technical director. The former Chelsea boss remained coy, stating: "Nothing to report for me.

"We’ve had a full week of training, my focus has been on the players and the staff here. We’re working with the club and doing our best to help the club improve. That’s all I can say."

football.london understands Ben Roberts – Chelsea's head of global goalkeeping – will not be leaving Stamford Bridge. Like Macaulay, he was one of many former Brighton staff to swap the Amex Stadium for Stamford Bridge in September 2022 when Potter replaced Thomas Tuchel in the dugout.