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West Ham United Esports Fifa

West Ham signs e-sports star Sean Allen to represent it playing Fifa

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By John McCarthy, Opinion Editor

May 9, 2016 | 2 min read

London football team West Ham United has made an odd move, enlisting a gamer who is really good at football simulation game Fifa.

Sean “Dragonn” Allen has become the club’s official e-sports player having been assigned the squad number 50.

Draggon came second in the 2016 FIFA interactive World Cup so the club has signed one of the video game’s best player to represent them in his West Ham jersey, serving as an ambassador for the club.

On the surface, it’s unclear what real benefit the club would derive from the association with the e-sports player, however, it emulates a move made by German side Wolfsburg earlier this year.

He will become a Hammer, debuting his new role at Gfinity Arena in Fulham in the Play Like A Legend Grand Final this Saturday (14 May), playing as West Ham.

On signing for the club, he said: “I am delighted to be joining West Ham United as their official e-sports player.

“West Ham have had an astonishing season in the Premier League with Europe looking very likely for next season. I will be doing my very best in FIFA tournaments all around the world to emulate their success."

Karim Virani, head of digital marketing at West Ham United, added: “E-sports is one of the fastest growing sports in the world, so we are delighted to have signed one of the world’s leading players to represent us. We’ve been looking to sign an e-sports player for a while and Sean’s performance in the Fifa Interactive World Cup really impressed us. Sean will spearhead our efforts to becoming a leader in this field.

“The digital game is incredibly popular with our fans, so we are really excited about what we have in store for them.”

West Ham United Esports Fifa

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