Profile: Max Kilman
A bluffer’s guide to our new signing
Age: 27
Nationality: English
Position: Central defender
Transfer fee: £40 million
Max Kilman: "It’s an amazing feeling to be a West Ham United player. As soon as I was aware of the interest from the club, it was an opportunity I was keen to pursue, so I couldn’t be more delighted to be here. I really enjoyed working with Julen during his time at Wolves - he’s a top-class coach and someone I learned a lot from, and I am confident I will continue to improve as a player under his management here"12.
Sky Sports
Early Career
Kilman's footballing life commenced at the Fulham academy. However, the coaching staff expressed reservations about his technical prowess, prompting his release at the age of 15.
He moved Gillingham's academy, followed by a solitary appearance for Welling United in the London Senior Cup.
At Maidenhead United, under West Ham legend Alan Devonshire, Kilman encountered the harsh realities of semi-professional football. He embraced a loan stint at Marlow,in the Southern Football League Division One Central.
The Futsal Influence
Kilman's foray into the world of futsal played a pivotal role in shaping his development. Representing the England national futsal team on 25 occasions, he honed his technical prowess and spatial awareness. Futsal, with its emphasis on close control, quick decision-making, and intricate passing, has provided Kilman with a unique skillset that complemented his physical attributes.
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Wolverhampton Wanderers
In August 2018, the defender made the move to Molineux.Initially integrated into Wolves' under-23 setup, within a year he had not only secured a place in the senior squad but also made his Premier League debut, becoming the first player to transition directly from non-league to England's top flight since Chris Smalling's move from Maidstone United to Fulham in 2008. In August 2023, Wolverhampton Wanderers named him club captain.
In the 2023-24 season, Kilman etched his name into the annals of Premier League history by becoming one of only two outfield players to feature in all 3,420 minutes of action, an achievement shared with Arsenal's William Saliba.
Julen Lopetegui, having witnessed Kilman's growth firsthand at Wolves, recognised the defender's potential and orchestrated a £40 million transfer.
The Maidenhead United Windfall
When Kilman departed Maidenhead United for Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2018, chairman Peter Griffin ensured that the non-league club would reap the rewards of his future success. A sell-on clause, proved to be a masterstroke.
As Kilman's transfer to West Ham United was finalised, Maidenhead found themselves the beneficiaries of a windfall that promised to reshape the club's trajectory. Although figure is confidential, even a modest 10% sell-on clause would be a life-changing sum for a part-time, non-league outfit operating on a shoestring budget.
West Ham
Signing a seven-year contract, Kilman expressed his elation at joining the Hammers, hailing the move as "the natural next step" in his career.
Kilman's arrival at the London Stadium was heralded as a "serious and notable moment" by West Ham's technical director, Tim Steidten. The signing of an established, proven Premier League central defender in the peak years of his career is a statement of the commitment to assembling a strong squad.
Career Overview
Welling United 2015-2016
Matches: 1
Maidenhead United 2016-2018
Matches: 34
Wolverhampton Wanderers 2018-2024
Matches: 151 (all competitions)
West Ham United 2024-Present
Honours