West Ham sign Spain midfielder Fornals from Villarreal
Jamie Smith
June 14, 2019 11:57 MYT
June 14, 2019 11:57 MYT
West Ham have announced the capture of Pablo Fornals, who becomes the second most expensive player in the club's history after Felipe Anderson.
The Spain midfielder joins the Hammers from Villarreal for a reported £24million fee, signing a five-year deal that includes the option for a further 12 months.
Fornals, who started his career at Malaga, starred in Villarreal's run to the quarter-finals of the Europa League last term, scoring three goals and creating 22 chances from open play.
The 23-year-old, set to play at this year's European Under-21 Championship, is the first player to join Manuel Pellegrini's squad after the 2018-19 Premier League season.
Pellegrini managed at both Malaga and Villarreal, with Fornals looking forward to working with the former Manchester City boss as well as reuniting with the club's director of football Mario Husillos.
"I'm very happy to be part of West Ham," Fornals told West Ham's website. "I feel very good, very happy and very grateful for the opportunity that has been provided to me.
West Ham United FC have uploaded a new video... #WelcomeFornals pic.twitter.com/HvCowMvc7E — West Ham United (@WestHamUtd) June 14, 2019
An error occurred while retrieving the Tweet. It might have been deleted.
"I want the club to continue betting on young and ambitious people, people who want to do well for the long term.
"I know about the loyal fans and the stadium, which is a beautiful stadium. The fans fill the stadium every weekend and that is something admirable, especially with the passion with which football is lived there. I think it is important to play with the support of your fans at home.
"I have worked with Mario before – I know him from when I was in Malaga. With Manuel, only when I saw him and admired him on TV.
"Of course, Manuel was a big influence because in the end he is one of the best coaches in the world and who doesn't want to work with people like that?"
22 - Pablo Fornals created 22 chances from open play in the Europa League last season - only one player had more in the competition in 2018-19 (Filip Kostic, 27). Craft. pic.twitter.com/wapavgHHsz — OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 14, 2019
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In 2017, Fornals missed a LaLiga fixture against Barcelona after fainting during training, although Villarreal said he made an "immediate recovery".
He won his first cap for Spain in 2016 but has only made one further senior appearance for his country since then.