Football
Exclusive: Michail Antonio Open to Championship Move to Boost World Cup 2026 Hopes
Jamaican international Michail Antonio, released by West Ham United after a car crash, is considering a Championship move to boost his World Cup 2026 chances. At 35, he's been in talks with clubs in England and abroad, with Sampdoria showing interest. But, would signing a 35-year-old coming back from injury be worth the gamble? West Ham is supporting his training and medical needs as he aims to continue his career.
Jamaica v Guadalupe - Gold Cup 2025 by Erin Chang/ISI Photos | Getty Images
Michail Antonio is open to a Championship move to keep his World Cup 2026 hopes alive, SportsBoom sources can reveal.
The Jamaican international is a free agent after being released by Premier League West Ham United, where he spent ten years, just eight months after his horror car crash.
Antonio has been in talks with a number of clubs on home soil and abroad as he weighs up his options in a World Cup year.
A source close to the situation says the 35-year-old would prefer to stay in England, but is not ruling out a move further afield.
Italian club Sampdoria have contacted Antonio’s agent regarding a potential move to Serie A.
Earlier this summer, Antonio was on the radar of QPR before they opted for Richard Kone from Wycombe Wanderers.
Antonio has been linked with crisis-hit former club Sheffield Wednesday, but it is understood wages would be a huge stumbling block for a move.
Worth The Gamble?
At his best, Antonio is a striker who bullies defenders and he is West Ham’s record Premier League goalscorer with 68 goals to his name.
He was also a part of the famous Conference League triumph in 2023.
But there are question marks over what a 35-year-old Antonio returning from a broken leg would look like?
Despite releasing the player, West Ham have offered Antonio facilities to train and medical care.
He returned to football for Jamaica earlier this summer and scored twice on his Hammers’ return in the under-21s before his release.
Antonio said: “I’ve got a lot left in me. I’ve got something to prove to show that I can come back.”
Editor's Insight
Antonio would be an absolute superstar for any Championship side, but recovering from an injury at 35 is no simple feat. While fans may expect him to jump straight back into scoring goals, for a veteran, past achievements can't always be an indicator of future performance. That being said, his experience and leadership alone are enough to benefit any Championship side, and even without goals, he would be a solid signing.
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