Jesse Lingard joins West Ham on loan from Manchester United
West Ham have completed the signing of Jesse Lingard from Manchester United on loan until the end of the season.
Lingard fell out of favour at Old Trafford this season and West Ham are understood to have agreed a loan fee of £1.5m with United for the England midfielder.
Lingard told West Ham TV: “I’m excited. It’s another new chapter in my life. Nothing is guaranteed but I’ve come here to work hard and help the team and bring my experience. That’s the main aim. I just want to enjoy my football and get back playing again and get my feet back on the pitch.”
Lingard previously worked with David Moyes at Old Trafford, although he did not make a first-team appearance during the Scot’s short tenure. “There were lots of clubs involved but, for me personally, I felt this was the right move. The club is going in the right direction. We’re on the right track and I’m here to help.
“I’ve obviously had a previous relationship with the manager and I’ve played under him before, so he knows my qualities and what I can bring to the team. I know a couple of the players as well – I know Dec (Rice) very well from the England side – and I feel I can really settle in here quickly.”
West Ham, fourth in the Premier League, paved the way for Lingard to arrive by converting Saïd Benrahma’s loan to a permanent transfer. Premier League clubs are allowed two domestic loans at any time. Moyes had borrowed Craig Dawson from Watford and Benrahma from Brentford.
West Ham paid a £5m loan fee to sign Benrahma last October and were due to sign the Algerian for £20m plus £5m in add-ons at the end of the season. That deal has been brought forward.
Moyes will not stop his search for a striker if he signs Lingard. West Ham need cover for Michail Antonio after selling Sébastien Haller to Ajax. They are considering a loan for RB Leipzig’s Hwang Hee-chan.