James Ward-Prowse seals immediate Premier League transfer return with West Ham and is given former flop’s shirt number
JAMES WARD-PROWSE has joined West Ham and been given a former flop's shirt number.
The ex-Southampton captain secured an immediate Premier League return after they were relegated last season.
Ward-Prowse, 28, has signed a four-year contract at the Hammers to end his 20-year spell at the Saints.
The 11-time capped England midfielder played 410 times for Southampton, scoring 55 goals.
He was one of manager David Moyes' top transfer targets and he has arrived for a fee of £30million.
Ward-Prowse was unveiled to supporters with a golf-inspired video in a nod to his signature tee swing celebration.
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The set-piece specialist will wear the No7 shirt at West Ham, taking the number from flop Gianluca Scamacca.
He joined from Sassuolo for £30m last summer but has already left to head back to Italy and sign for Atalanta with the Irons making an £8m loss on him.
The striker scored eight goals in 27 games with just three coming in the Prem.
On joining West Ham, Ward-Prowse : “From the outside looking in, this is a club that has been on the rise for a number of years now and coming off the success in the Conference League.
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"I have fulfilled so many of my dreams in both football and life while I've been here, so it is by no means easy for me to leave.
"While I may be leaving the club, I can assure you it will not be leaving me and that I always consider myself a member of the Southampton family."
Ward-Prowse could make his debut on Sunday versus Chelsea.
He remains one converted free-kick away from matching David Beckham’s Premier League record of 18 – something boss Moyes hopes to utilise.
Moyes said: “[Ward-Prowse] has performed to a very high level in the Premier League over the last decade, constantly producing good numbers season after season.
“His leadership qualities are obviously another huge plus for us – he’ll be a big voice for us, someone who drives the team on from the middle of the pitch.
“We’re excited to get him up and running, for what will be another busy season on both the domestic and European front.”
West Ham are still working on a £30m deal for Manchester United defender Harry Maguire, with the club hoping it could be confirmed later this week.
Moyes is yet to name his captain for the season following Declan Rice’s £105m Arsenal switch, and is likely to wait for the Maguire negotiations to be resolved.
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Elsewhere, West Ham are bracing themselves for a bid from Manchester City for their Brazilian playmaker Lucas Paqueta.
City’s verbal offer of around £70m last week was ignored, and Moyes has made it clear that the player is not for sale at any price, despite suggestions a deal worth £90m or more could be enough.
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