Former NYC striker scores in FA Cup
By Noah Zimmerman
noah@queensledger.com
Former New York City FC star and 2021 MLS Cup and Golden Boot winner Valentin “Taty” Castellanos has landed in London, joining West Ham United on a contract running through 2030 with an option for 2031.
Castellanos was a vital part of New York City’s first ever title-winning team. He scored the last of his 19 regular season goals on the final matchday, winning the Golden Boot via assists tiebreaker.
In the postseason, Taty scored in each of NYC’s first two matches, opening the scoring in a 2-0 win over Atlanta and briefly putting them ahead in extra time against New England before an eventual win in a penalty shootout. In the MLS Cup Final in Portland, Taty scored his third playoff goal and converted in the cup-deciding penalty shootout, etching himself into club history.
The Argentine striker was loaned to Spanish side Girona FC to begin his European career in 2022 before being sold to Italian club SS Lazio the following year. In nearly 100 matches over three seasons in Rome, Taty netted 22 goals and 16 assists, a fraction of what he provided NYC in just 36 more matches played.
Now Taty heads to the British capital to help the Hammers in their quest to avoid relegation. A meager 14 points through 20 matches has West Ham four points behind safety in Nottingham Forest, but with 18 matches to play there is ample time to secure a 14th consecutive season in the Premier League.
“I hope to give my all to the fans. I’ve always defended the jersey of every team with the utmost responsibility, and I want to tell them that I’m going to give everything, to defend this jersey, and obviously, to achieve our goals day after day,” Castellanos said. “That’s the most important thing.”
Castellanos was signed and made available for his West Ham debut on Tuesday against Tottenham Hotspur. He played the full 90 minutes, recording a handful of shot attempts, though he did not find the net.
Taty’s first West Ham goal came over the weekend in FA Cup action, scoring the winner in extra time to defeat Championship side Queens Park Rangers 2-1. He headed home the winning goal from the top of the 6-yard box, finishing a great run and cross from Crysencio Summerville.
With his first West Ham goal scored, will this final stretch of the Premier League season be where the prolific goalscorer once again finds his high-scoring boots? And will it be enough to save the possibly doomed Hammers?
