Joël Piroe

Joël Mohammed Ramzan Piroe (born 2 August 1999) is a professional footballer who plays as a forward for club West Ham United, on loan from Premier League club Leeds United. Born in the Netherlands, he plays for the Suriname national team.

Club career Early career Piroe started playing football at the age of five for SCE Nijmegen and played youth football for Quick 1888 and SC Woezik, after which he was signed to the youth academy of NEC. He first played as a left-back and left midfielder. The coach of the under-12 team of NEC chose to play Piroe as a forward, due to the many goals he scored. He then moved to the youth academy of Feyenoord, and a year later – in 2014 – joined the PSV academy. He signed his first professional contract with the Eindhoven-based club in November 2016.

Piroe made his professional debut in the Eerste Divisie for Jong PSV on 2 December 2016 in a game against Achilles '29.

PSV sent Piroe on a one-year loan to Sparta Rotterdam in August 2019. He made his debut in the Eredivisie on 25 August 2019, coming on for Ragnar Ache in the 60th minute away against PEC Zwolle – a game which ended in a 2–2 draw.

Swansea City On 2 July 2021, Piroe moved to Wales to join Swansea City on a three-year deal, joining for an undisclosed fee, reported to be in the region of £1 million with the potential to rise up to £2 million. He scored on his Swansea debut in an EFL Cup tie against Reading on 10 August 2021.

Leeds United On 24 August 2023, Leeds United signed Piroe on a four-year deal for an undisclosed fee, believed to be above £10 million. He scored on his Leeds debut against Ipswich on 26 August 2023 in a 4–3 victory.

On 21 April 2025, he netted four goals in a 6–0 victory over Stoke City, securing his team's promotion to the Premier League. On 3 May 2025, Piroe won the 2024–25 Championship title with Leeds following a 2–1 win over Plymouth Argyle at Home Park. He was also awarded the Golden Boot for the same season after scoring a league-high 19 goals with Leeds.

On 8 March 2026, Piroe scored his first goal of the 2025–26 season, in any competition, in a 3–0 FA Cup win against Norwich City at Elland Road.

West Ham United On 19 August 2026, Piroe joined EFL Championship club West Ham United on a season-long loan with an obligation to buy. He made his debut on 22 August 2026, scoring in a 1–2 loss in the league to Charlton Athletic.

International career Piroe represented the Netherlands at youth international level. On 8 January 2026, he switched his international allegiance to Suriname. Later that year, on 26 March, he made his international debut, starting in a 2–1 defeat against Bolivia in the World Cup qualification inter-confederation play-offs.

Personal life Piroe was born in the Netherlands to an Indo-Surinamese muslim father and a Dutch mother.

Career statistics Club + Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals

2016–17 Eerste Divisie

2017–18 Eerste Divisie

2018–19 Eerste Divisie

2019–20 Eerste Divisie

2020–21 Eerste Divisie

2018–19 Eredivisie

2019–20 Eredivisie

2020–21 Eredivisie

Sparta Rotterdam (loan) 2019–20 Eredivisie

2021–22 Championship

2022–23 Championship

2023–24 Championship

2023–24 Championship

2025–26 Premier League

2026–27 Premier League

104!!32!!9!!1!!2!!0!!0!!0!!3!!1!!118!!34 West Ham United (loan) 2026–27

Honours Leeds United EFL Championship: 2024–25

Individual UEFA European Under-19 Championship Golden Boot: 2017 Swansea City Player of the Year: 2021–22 EFL Championship Golden Boot: 2024–25 PFA Team of the Year: 2024–25 Championship