Crystal Palace complete £9.5m signing of West Ham’s Cheikou Kouyate on four-year deal
Senegalese international midfielder joins for a fee believed to be £9.5m with a further £1.5m in add-ons
CRYSTAL PALACE have completed the signing of midfielder enforcer Cheikhou Kouyate on a four-year deal.
The Eagles have landed the Senegal captain for a fee believed to be £9.5m, with a further £1.5m in add-ons.
Kouyate made 129 appearances for West Ham over four season, netting 12 goals for the East London club.
The Senegal international has finally completed his summer holiday after playing in the World Cup.
He said: "I am so happy.
"It's been a long day but now everything is good and I'm very excited to start with my new team-mates.
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"This is the right time to move because I needed a new challenge.
"I have good memories of West Ham but I need to come here and give my best because I like the Crystal Palace project."
Kouyate was caught in the middle of a racism storm at the London Stadium last year, when head of player recruitment Tony Henry wrote to an agent that the Hammers wanted to limit the number of African players they sign.
Henry was later sacked by West Ham and banned for 12 months from football-related activity.
It is hardly any surprise Kouyate felt the need to move on after the incident shamed the Hammers hierarchy.
On his new move to South London, Kouyate added: "I spoke to the manager and I know he'll be a good manager.
"I also spoke to Pape Souare yesterday and he told me I had to come and now I'm here I'm very happy."
