West Ham cult hero, 33, teases shock move back to London Stadium with Aaron Wan-Bissaka braced to leave

VLADIMIR COUFAL has made a surprise appearance at the London Stadium on social media. The defender has teased a shock return to West Ham by posting a picture of the club’s stadium to his Instagram account. Vladimir Coufal has visited the London Stadium Credit: instagram The defender spent five years at West Ham before leaving in 2025 Credit: Getty Coufal, 33, is a cult hero at the East London outfit, having been a part of the team that lifted the Conference League title in 2023. The Czech full-back spent five years with the Hammers and made 180 appearances for the club. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! However, he was let go at the end of the 2024-25 season when his contract came to an end. Coufal made the move to Bundesliga side Hoffenheim and has gone on to become a star in the team. In 35 appearances for the club, he scored one goal and assisted nine more and was considered by many to be the best right-back in the division. He was rewarded with a new two-year contract in February as his performances meant that the injured Valentin Gendrey was not missed. Meanwhile, West Ham have struggled since his exit and now find themselves in the Championship after relegation last term. Gendrey has now returned to full fitness, which means that Coufal’s game time could become limited a move on the cards. Most read in Sport SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET UP TO £100 BONUS Aaron Wan-Bissaka is expected to leave West Ham before the end of the transfer window Credit: Getty Coufal is in London with his Hoffenheim team-mates ahead of the pre-season friendly against Tottenham. After leaving West Ham, Coufal revealed that he was “not over” the exit as he was told his time was done in a 30 SECOND chat with then-manager Graham Potter. West Ham may become interested in bringing Coufal back to the club should Aaron Wan-Bissaka leave. The former Manchester United star is expected to leave the Hammers this summer. Coufal impressed in his debut season at TSG Hoffenheim Credit: AFP Aston Villa are reported to have opened talks for the full-back to strengthen Unai Emery‘s options. West Ham are thought to value the DR Congo international at £25million with Fulham and Everton also touted as destinations. He has had a mixed time at the club since his arrival from the Red Devils two years ago. Wan-Bissaka was named the club’s Hammer of the Year in his debut season but has since fallen behind Kyle Walker-Peters in the pecking order. The club have become tough negotiators this summer having recouped £150m from selling just Mateus Fernandes and Crysencio Summerville. A further £10m has been banked from cashing in on academy product Freddie Potts who has moved to Club Brugge. West Ham have brought in former Brighton star Joel Veltman on a free transfer as well as Manor Solomon from Tottenham. The club is also expected to confirm the arrival of Arne Engels from Celtic in a Championship record fee of £22m. Comment now