As transfer rumors across the world heat up, one player can finally rest easy knowing his fate is signed, sealed, and delivered. On Tuesday, West Ham United released a statement announcing that Javier Hernández will be a member of the Premier League side starting next season. According to the statement, Chicharito was signed from German side Bayer Leverkusen for a fee of £16million (roughly $21 million).
“The 29-year-old former Manchester United and Real Madrid star put pen to paper on a three-year deal on Monday afternoon, and will fly out to Germany in the coming days to meet up with Slaven Bilic and his new teammates at their pre-season training camp,” said the London-based club on their website.
Mexico’s all-time leading goal scorer admitted excitement about the move, which will bring him back to England for the first time since 2015. “I am very happy to join West Ham United. For me, the Premier League is the best league in the world and when the opportunity came, I was desperate to sign for this club,” Hernandez said.
“It was not a difficult decision,” he continued. “West Ham is a historic club, and very ambitious – this summer you can see with the players signed that they are looking to have a very good season. I’ve had three fantastic years playing in Spain and Germany, but England was really the first big chapter in my career and I am so happy to be back.”
West Ham’s joint-chairman David Sullivan shared Chicharito’s excitement, saying “We are delighted to welcome Javier as the latest fantastic addition to the West Ham United squad. Following the arrivals of Pablo Zabaleta, Joe Hart and Marko Arnautovic, he is another top class professional who brings great experience and quality to the Club.”
Born in Guadalajara, Chicharito first gained notoriety playing for his hometown club Chivas. After showing out at home, Hernandez became the first Mexican player to join Manchester United when Sir Alex Ferguson nabbed him in July 2010. He would score 59 goals for the Red Devils, winning two Premier League titles in his tenure. Following stints at Real Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen–where he scored 39 goals in just 76 appearances, while becoming the Mexican player with the most Champions League appearances–Chicharito is coming back to the league that helped him become a household name worldwide.