West Ham clinch Perez signing

– West Ham United have signed striker Lucas Perez (right) from Arsenal on a three-year contract, both Premier League clubs confirmed yesterday.

The 29-year-old is West Ham’s seventh signing of the transfer window. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed, but local media said West Ham had paid about £4 million for the Spaniard.

Perez joined Arsenal in August 2016 from Deportivo La Coruna but started just two Premier League games for the London club, making another nine appearances off the bench, before being loaned back to the Spanish side the following season.

“I’m very happy to be here at such an historic club,” he said in a statement.

“I’m very excited, as West Ham are giving me the chance to stay in the Premier League and I’m very happy to be part of this new project.”

With Andy Carroll set to miss the season opener at Liverpool on Sunday due to injury, Director of Football Mario Husillos said Perez’s arrival would increase new manager Manuel Pellegrini’s options up front.

“His style is different from the other strikers we have available to us, and that gives the manager more options for our attacking play,” Husillos said.

“Lucas also has experience of the Premier League with Arsenal, and is familiar with life here in London, which of course means he will take less time to adapt and be ready.” – AFP