Exclusive: Fulham line up Ryan Fredericks return with West Ham defender set for free transfer this summer

Fulham are lining up West Ham’s Ryan Fredericks as their first signing since clinching promotion to the Premier League, with the right-back set to return to Craven Cottage on a free transfer.

Fredericks is out of contract at the end of the season and has not been offered a new deal by the Hammers after falling behind Ben Johnson and Vladimir Coufal in the pecking order.

Fulham are looking for experienced top-flight players to bolster Marco Silva’s squad after booking their return to the Premier League and versatile Fredericks fits the bill.

The 29-year-old made over 100 appearances in three seasons with the Cottagers in the Championship before joining West Ham as a free agent in summer 2018.

He has made 63 appearances for the Hammers in the Premier League, including 11 this season, and played the home leg of their Europa League quarter-final against Lyon last month.

Hammers boss David Moyes is planning a significant overhaul of his squad this summer in a bid to cement their status as European challengers next season.

Captain Mark Noble is retiring, while Andriy Yarmolenko will also leave at the end of his contract.