Mads Hermansen

Mads Hermansen came to goalkeeping through injury. He played as an outfield player until the age of 10, when Achilles tendinitis forced him into goal, a switch he credits with starting his professional path.

He joined the academy of Næsby Boldklub in 2011 and moved to Brøndby in 2015. His senior debut came in 2019, and he became a regular starter. In 2022 Brøndby named him their Player of the Year. He made his Champions League play-off debut against Red Bull Salzburg in August 2021; Brøndby lost 2-1, but he was praised for key saves. In 2023 he saved three penalties in one match against FC Nordsjælland.

Leicester City signed him in July 2023 for a reported fee of between £5 million and €7 million. He was central to the club's 2023–24 Championship title and promotion to the Premier League, and was named in the EFL Championship Team of the Season. Under Enzo Maresca he was used for his ball-playing ability.

In August 2025 he moved to West Ham United on a five-year contract to 2030, for a reported £18–20 million. Brøndby retain a sell-on clause reported at £1.2 million. The start was hard: he conceded eight goals in his first two matches, a 3-0 defeat by Sunderland and a 5-1 loss to Chelsea. Against Millwall, in a 2-2 draw, he made crucial saves, and pundits praised him even though errors by teammates in front of him cost goals.

Hermansen played for Denmark from U16 to U21 level. His senior debut came in March 2026 in a World Cup qualifier against North Macedonia, with Kasper Schmeichel absent. Denmark won 4-0 and he kept a clean sheet. He had won three senior caps by June 2026.