Sean Allen to West Ham: Hammers Sign ESports Star 'Dragonn'

West Ham United revealed the capture of a player with a difference on Friday, confirming the capture of eSports star Sean “Dragonn” Allen.

The Hammers posted the following on their Twitter feed, revealing the 24-year-old, who claims to be a “professional FIFA player” on his own social media account, has even been handed a shirt number:

Allen finished in second place at the 2016 FIFA Interactive World Cup recently and will represent West Ham at the Play Like A Legend Grand Final on Saturday, per their official website.

“I am delighted to be joining West Ham United as their official eSports player,” Allen said, per the report. “This is a massive move forward for me. I have been playing competitive FIFA for a very long time and this is the biggest thing ever to happen to me.”

Even Irons boss Slaven Bilic had his say on the capture: “This is a big move for West Ham United. I have heard that Sean is a big player in the eSports arena so I am delighted that we have managed to secure his services.”

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Allen lost out in the final of the FIWC to Mohamad Al-Bacha in March in the most dramatic fashion possible. Here’s a look at how that contest went, including the remarkable finish:

While the majority play these sorts of games for a release, competitive FIFA is serious business for those good enough to reach the highest level.

Indeed, according to FIFA’s official website, Al-Bacha picked up a prize of $20,000 for his win in the final against Allen, as well as a trip to the 2016 Ballon d’Or ceremony and a trophy presented by Spain legend David Villa. The man known as Dragonn picked up $5,000 for finishing as the runner-up.

West Ham’s new No. 50 revealed on Twitter he has received a fair bit of flak since the deal was announced, although he is excited about the opportunity:

For traditional fans of English football, such a move may seem ridiculous. But West Ham’s head of digital marketing, Karim Virani, wants the Hammers to become “a leader in this field,” per the report.

Given so many football supporters play the game from around the globe, not to mention the FIWC being broadcast on Sky Sports in the United Kingdom, it’s a trend many clubs may follow in years to come.