First Team Squad

Player profile and performance records.

Pablo Felipe (striker)

Squad Number: 19
Position: striker
Born: 2nd Jan 2004 (Braga, Portugal)
Signed: 1st Jan 2026 (£20,000,000)
Contract: 4½ years + one-year option (signed January 2026)
Previous Club: Gil Vicente

KUMB Awards: None.

Born in Braga to former FC Porto and S.C. Braga Brazilian player Pena, Pablo joined F.C. Famalicao's youth system at the age of 15, following a brief spell in his father's homeland with Fluminense FC.

In July 2021, after having made his senior debut with the club's under-23 team, he signed a professional contract until 2024. Pablo made his Primeira Liga debut with the main squad debut on 8 August 2021, coming on as a 60th-minute substitute in a 2-0 away loss against F.C. Pacos de Ferreira.

On 15 September 2022, he further extended his link until 2027.[6] He scored his first goal in the competition the following 22 April, closing the 3-2 home win over C.S. Maritimo in the 98th minute.

On 12 January 2024, Famalicao sent Pablo on loan to Liga Portugal 2 side Pacos de Ferreira until the end of the season. In September, also on loan, he moved to Gil Vicente F.C. of the top division. On 1 April 2025, he scored a ten-minute hat-trick in a 3-1 away defeat of bottom-placed Boavista FC.[10]

Pablo signed a permanent four-year contract with Gil Vicente on 23 June 2025, after which he scored 10 goals in the first 13 games of the 2025/26 campaign - a record that attracted him to Nuno Espirito Santo and 'super agent' Jorge Mendes, who recommended him to West Ham.

On 1 January 2026, Pablo signed for West Ham on an initial four-and-a-half year deal with an option for an additional year, for an undisclosed fee reported to be worth in the region of £20million.

2025/26 Match Notes & Ratings

vs Bolton Wanderers

3-2: Tuesday, 8th September
(Played 67 minutes)

Did a lot of the Pablo stuff, the gritty work that isn't glamorous and isn't in the wheelhouse of many strikers. Not the greatest of attacking presences, but it's that selfless work rate and endeavour that gets him the assist, making the effort and the challenge ahead of Bazunu.

vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

4-2: Tuesday, 1st September
(Played 70 minutes)

Busy running and a very typical Pablo performance with his disciplined work, but lacked real influence on the game and didn't link things as he often does.

vs Burnley

2-2: Sunday, 16th August
(Played 45 minutes)

Got on the ball in decent areas and passed well. Lacked a threat, but did his physical work with the discipline expected. The team lost shape and control without him, unable to hold the ball up the pitch and not stopping Burnley controlling the spaces Pablo often defends well.

vs Portsmouth

3-1: Saturday, 8th August
(Played 90 minutes)

Not pretty, but effective. He wins duels (8/9 today) and has the strength to help his team retain possession in scrappier moments. Gets an assist, nearly scored, and the team looked better when he drifted inside and got involved.

vs Newcastle United

1-3: Sunday, 17th May
(Played 27 minutes, sub)

(Wan-Bissaka 63') The team had more bite with him on the pitch and one pass to Taty was very good, but the loose touch a couple minutes after coming on also cost his team a goal

vs Arsenal

0-1: Saturday, 9th May
(Played 23 minutes, sub)

(Castellanos 67') Did well to create the big chance for Fernandes, which should have seen him with another assist, and then should have either been a part of the late goal or given a penalty.

vs Crystal Palace

0-0: Monday, 20th April
(Played 90 minutes)

Worked hard and kept a good pressing shape with Castellanos. Had a decent effort blocked on the way to goal, but never looked dangerous.

vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

4-0: Friday, 10th April
(Played 90 minutes)

Such a clever and subtle little bit of skill to pop it through for Castellanos, but it's the hard work for goal three that makes him who he is, and why he's so valuable in this team. It ties it all together.

vs Leeds United

2-2: Sunday, 5th April
(Played 75 minutes, sub)

(Potts 46') It was an awful penalty. Short run-ups must work for some, but they always look like they leave the player struggling for power, and it was a weak penalty with poor placing. Even with a goal ruled out for offside, and it was a long way off, he still doesn't look a player who will score a goal for West Ham, at least not against Premier League teams.

vs Aston Villa

0-2: Sunday, 22nd March
(Played 90 minutes)

Worked hard, as he does, but he really lacks a goal threat, looking short of the finessed quality of other Premier League strikers.

vs Manchester City

1-1: Saturday, 14th March
(Played 90 minutes)

It's to his credit that he can have a good game merely with his work rate and desire to defend from the front. His team were not an attacking force, but he was disciplined and determined as he fought to make sure his opponents could not settle on the ball and have it easy in their own half.

vs Brentford

2-2: Monday, 9th March
(Played 120 minutes)

As is typical with him, his defensive work and running off the ball were great, just lacked a finesse that would give him more goal threat. Great to see him back and getting crucial time in his legs.

vs Burnley

2-0: Saturday, 7th February
(Played 11 minutes, sub)

(Castellanos 79') A typical performance, even in cameo. Busy, defending from the front and making things awkward for defence and deep midfielders, but lacking a threat. Twice looked to be played in behind but had no pace to get away.

vs Chelsea

2-3: Saturday, 31st January
(Played 90 minutes)

A menace for Chelsea players in possession in their own half, and his attempt at getting onto Bowen's cross is what stops Sanchez being able to react earlier and make a save. Tired himself out after 65 minutes of nonstop work, he's a useful defender in forward areas that lacks a finesse.

vs Sunderland

3-1: Saturday, 24th January
(Played 90 minutes)

Relatively quiet and did miss a good chance in the first half. However, his link up play was positive and did not stop working relentlessly.

vs Sunderland

3-1: Saturday, 24th January
(Played 90 minutes)

Another of those games where he's useful as a nuisance, a presence, and you appreciate his hard work and endeavour. But a lack of quality remains, although he may relax with a goal. Technique is just a touch sketchy.

vs Tottenham Hotspur

2-1: Saturday, 17th January
(Played 90 minutes)

While the quality may be yet to come to the fore, Pablo's work rate is unquestionable. Worked tirelessly in the opposite half of the field, closing down and harrying Tottenham's defence when in possession.

vs Nottingham Forest

1-2: Tuesday, 6th January
(Played 26 minutes, sub)

(Paqueta 64') Blazed a half chance over the bar but linked up well with Walker-Peters. Looking forward to seeing what he can do up front.

vs Nottingham Forest

1-2: Tuesday, 6th January
(Played 26 minutes, sub)

(Paqueta 64') The side did suddenly look more dangerous when he came on, but playing behind the striker looked far from suitable for a player whose touch was questionable.