Profile: Crysencio Summerville
The lowdown from the lowlands on our new Dutch signing
Age: 22
Nationality: Dutch
Position: Winger
Transfer fee: £25 million plus add-ons
"It's the perfect next step for my career," said Summerville. "I'm here to help write more history and I'd love to help West Ham get back into Europe."
BBC Sport
Feyenoord
Born in Rotterdam to parents of Afro-Surinamese descent, Summerville's career started at the tender age of seven when he joined the youth ranks of RVVV Noorderkwartier. His prodigious talent soon caught the eye of Feyenoord's renowned academy, leading to his enrolment in 2008. Summerville's rapid development culminated in his first professional contract with the Eredivisie giants in March 2018.
Loan Spells
Feyenoord strategically loaned out the promising winger to gain first-team experience. In December 2018, Summerville joined Eerste Divisie side FC Dordrecht, where he made his professional debut as a second-half substitute against Den Bosch on 13 January, 2019. Just 16 days later, he scored his first professional goal in a starting role against the same opposition.
The following season, Summervillen secured a loan move to Eredivisie outfit ADO Den Haag. On August 31, 2019, he made his debut for the club in a 1-0 victory over VVV Venlo. His breakthrough moment arrived on 26 October, when he became ADO Den Haag's youngest-ever Eredivisie goal scorer, scoring the opener in a 2-0 triumph against Vitesse Arnhem. By the end of his loan stint, Summerville had two goals and three assists
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Leeds United
On 16 September 2020, he secured a move to Leeds United. Though his inaugural season at Elland Road was one of adaptation, the following campaign witnessed his rise to prominence.
On 17 September 2021, Summerville made his Premier League debut, replacing Raphinha in the 67th minute of a 1-1 draw against Newcastle United..
On 23 October 2022, Summerville opened his Premier League account with a goal against Fulham. Just six days later, Summerville scored a last-gasp winner against Liverpool at Anfield – ending Liverpool's 29-game unbeaten streak at home.
On November 5, as he scored a dramatic winner in a 4-3 victory over Bournemouth. Summerville's purple patch extended into the following week, with his strike against Tottenham Hotspur marking his fourth goal in as many games before the World Cup hiatus.
Summerville's blistering pace, incisive dribbling, and clinical finishing solidified his status as one of the Premier League's most exciting young talents.
In the 2023/24 Championship campaign, Summerville amassed an impressive 21 goals and 10 assists across 49 appearances. He was named the EFL Championship Player of the Month for October 2023, earned a place in the EFL Championship Team of the Season and was crowned the EFL Championship Player of the Season. Summerville was also named Leeds United's Players' Player of the Season.
Internationals
Summerville has represented the Netherlands at various youth levels. In 2018, he played a role in the Netherlands' triumph at the UEFA European Under-17 Championship, scoring in the group stage against Germany and appearing as a substitute in the final against Italy.
Since then, Summerville has had call-ups to the Under-18, Under-19, and currently, the Under-21 squads.
West Ham United
On the 3 August 2024, West Ham United secured Summerville's services in a deal worth in excess of £25 million, on a five-year contract with the option of a sixth year.
Summerville's game is built upon a foundation of blistering pace, agility, and trickery. His ability to beat his marker with a deft touch or a sudden burst of acceleration is complemented by his precise passing, incisive crossing, and clinical finishing, making him a potent threat from various attacking positions.
Consistency remains a key area for improvement, as evidenced by the occasional lulls in his goalscoring form during the latter stages of the 2022/23 Premier League campaign.
Under the guidance of Julen Lopetegui, Summerville's integration into West Ham's attacking setup promises to add a new dimension to the team’s attack. His versatility could provide Lopetegui with valuable tactical flexibility.
Career Overview
Feyenoord (Youth) Until 2020
Matches: N/A
Goals: N/A
FC Dordrecht (Loan) 2019-2020
Matches: 18
Goals: 2
ADO Den Haag (Loan) 2020
Matches: 21
Goals: 2
Leeds United 2020-2024
Matches: 49 (last season)
Goals: 21 (last season)
West Ham United 2024-Present
Honours