OFFICIAL: West Ham sign Arsenal's Perez

The 29-year-old spent last season on loan in LaLiga with Deportivo, but their relegation put paid to any hopes of securing a permanent deal.

West Ham have not disclosed the fee paid for the forwards, who becomes the club's eighth arrival of the summer following the signings of Ryan Fredericks, Lukasz Fabianski, Issa Diop, Jack Wilshere, Aindriy Yarmolenko, Fabian Balbuena and Felipe Anderson.

Perez joined Arsenal back in 2016 from Deportivo for a fee of £17.1m, but failed to force his way into the first team at the Emirates and will now make the short hop across London to his new club.

Speaking to the club's official website, Perez said he was delighted to complete the move.

“I’m very happy to be here at such an historic Club,” he revealed. “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.

“West Ham have great fans and play in an amazing stadium, so to sign here brings me great joy. I’m very motivated.”

West Ham's Director of Football Mario Husillos was similarly pleased, saying: “We welcome Lucas to West Ham United. He is a very experienced player that Manuel and I both know well from Spain.

“He has great technical quality, and can play as both the main striker or the second striker in a deeper role. He scores goals, but can also create them and link well with the midfielders.

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

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

“From the very first meeting I had with Lucas, he made it very clear that he wanted to come to West Ham United and, for us, this is very important. We wish him every success during his time here.”

 

9 August 2018