James Ward-Prowse has been given permission by West Ham United to undergo a medical examination before completing his loan move to Burnley. The 31-year-old midfielder, frozen out under manager Nuno Espírito Santo, will join fellow Premier League side Burnley for the remainder of the 2024-25 season with no obligation to buy clause. The move comes after captain Josh Cullen’s ACL injury left Burnley needing midfield reinforcement, and Ward-Prowse’s experience and set-piece expertise are expected to play a crucial role in their survival fight.

Why Burnley Needed Reinforcement

Burnley’s interest in Ward-Prowse intensified following the anterior cruciate ligament injury sustained by captain Josh Cullen, which will sideline him for the remainder of the season. The loss of their skipper created a significant void in midfield, prompting Scott Parker to explore recruitment options. Ward-Prowse was identified as a like-for-like replacement, offering experience, leadership, and exceptional set-piece quality during a critical stage of the campaign.

LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 02: James Ward-Prowse of Southampton applauds the fans after the Premier League match between West Ham United and Southampton FC at London Stadium on April 2, 2023 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Craig Mercer/MB Media/Getty Images)

Aspect	Details
Player Name	James Ward-Prowse
Current Club	West Ham United
Destination Club	Burnley FC
Transfer Type	Loan Move
Duration	Until end of 2024-25 season
Obligation to Buy	No
Player Age	31 years old
Position	Central Midfielder
International Caps	11 (England)
Medical Date	Pending completion

Ward-Prowse’s West Ham Struggles

Ward-Prowse joined West Ham from Southampton in August 2023 for a reported £30 million fee, signing a four-year contract. However, his time at the London Stadium has been disappointing. Under new manager Nuno Espírito Santo, the midfielder has been completely frozen out and has not featured in any competitive matches this season. He was recently named on the bench for the first time against Sunderland, suggesting a possible change, but his departure now appears inevitable.

Career Statistics	Details
Southampton Career	400+ appearances, club captain
West Ham Transfer Fee	£30 million (August 2023)
West Ham Contract Length	4 years
Appearances This Season	0 (Nuno era)
Training Status	Training away from first team
Previous Loan	Nottingham Forest (2024-25), loan terminated
Premier League Appearances	409 total (Southampton, West Ham, Forest)

Nuno’s Clear Message

Manager Nuno Espírito Santo has been transparent about Ward-Prowse’s exclusion from his plans. The Portuguese coach has stated that the midfielder does not feature in his squad considerations, leading to the midfielder training separately from the main group. This situation mirrors Ward-Prowse’s previous experience under Nuno at Nottingham Forest, where his loan was also terminated early in the 2024-25 season.

Burnley’s Squad Situation

Burnley currently sits in the bottom half of the Premier League table, fighting for survival. Scott Parker’s side views Ward-Prowse as a crucial addition to strengthen their midfield options. The experienced midfielder’s leadership, tactical discipline, and proven set-piece quality—including direct goals from corners—are viewed as essential attributes in Burnley’s battle against relegation.

West Ham’s Exit Strategy

West Ham has authorized the loan move as part of their broader squad restructuring. The departure of Ward-Prowse follows the exits of Guido Rodríguez, Andy Irving, Niclas Füllkrug, and Luis Guilherme from the club this January. The Hammers are using the departures to create space in their squad and financial flexibility as they simultaneously pursue signings including Adama Traoré from Fulham.

Set-Piece Expertise

One of Ward-Prowse’s standout qualities is his exceptional ability from dead-ball situations. He recently scored directly from a corner kick during West Ham’s 2-1 victory against Wolverhampton Wanderers, demonstrating the kind of value he can provide to Burnley. This skillset is particularly valuable during a relegation fight when every goal counts.

NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND – AUGUST 31: James Ward-Prowse of Nottingham Forest during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and West Ham United at City Ground on August 31, 2025 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by Ben Roberts – Danehouse/Getty Images)

FAQs

Why is James Ward-Prowse leaving West Ham?

James Ward-Prowse is leaving West Ham because manager Nuno Espírito Santo has made clear he does not feature in his plans. The midfielder has been frozen out of the squad and training away from the first-team group. With no path to regular first-team football at West Ham, a loan move provides Ward-Prowse with an opportunity to play regular football during a crucial stage of the season.

What type of deal is Ward-Prowse’s move to Burnley?

Ward-Prowse is joining Burnley on a loan deal for the remainder of the 2024-25 season with no obligation to buy clause. This allows Burnley to assess his performance during the relegation run before committing to any permanent arrangement. West Ham retains ownership of the player during the loan period.

Why does Burnley need a midfielder like Ward-Prowse?

Burnley needed midfield reinforcement after captain Josh Cullen suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury that will sideline him for approximately nine months. Ward-Prowse was identified as a replacement due to his experience, leadership qualities, and exceptional set-piece ability—assets crucial during a survival fight.

How long has Ward-Prowse been out of favour at West Ham?

Ward-Prowse has been frozen out since Nuno Espírito Santo’s arrival as manager. Under Nuno’s tenure, the midfielder has not featured in any competitive matches. He was previously on loan at Nottingham Forest in the 2024-25 season, but that loan was also terminated while Nuno was managing the club.

What makes Ward-Prowse valuable despite his age?

Despite being 31 years old, Ward-Prowse brings significant Premier League experience with over 409 appearances across Southampton, West Ham, and Nottingham Forest. He is an England international with 11 caps, provides proven leadership, excels at set pieces—including scoring directly from corners—and offers tactical discipline that experienced managers like Scott Parker value highly.