West Ham complete £24m transfer of Spain international Pablo Fornals from Villarreal
WEST HAM have completed the signing of Spain star Pablo Fornals in a deal worth up to £30million.
The Hammers have splashed out a down-payment of £24m for the Villarreal playmaker with the remaining £6m to come in add-ons.
Fornals, 23, is now the second most expensive player in the club's history behind Brazilian ace Felipe Anderson.
West Ham boss Manuel Pellegrini targeted the midfielder, who has signed a five-year deal with an added 12-month option, in the hope he can provide the creative spark to mount a challenge for a top-eight finish next season.
He was brought in under the recommendation of director of football Mario Husillos, who worked with him in his previous role at Malaga.
Fornal, who will play for Spain in the European under-21 championship this month, said: “I have worked with Mario before - I know him from when I was in Malaga.
"With Manuel, only when I saw him and admired him on TV. Of course, Manuel was a big influence because in the end he is one of the best coaches in the world and who doesn’t want to work with people like that?
OPPORTUNITIES
“I want the club to continue giving opportunities to young and ambitious people, people who want to do well for the long term.
“I know about the loyal fans and the stadium, which is a beautiful stadium. The fans fill the stadium every weekend and that is something admirable, especially with the passion with which football is lived there."
Husillos said: “He is a player we have monitored closely for some time, having seen him make excellent progress as a young midfielder in one of the best leagues in the world.
"I personally have followed his career since he was a youth player with me at Malaga, and I know we have signed an incredible professional and an incredible character.
“This is something that is very important for us at West Ham United now – not only a very good player but also a very good person with a good mentality.
“To represent Spain as a full international at the age of 20, and then to have made over 150 appearances in La Liga by the age of 23, is a sign of great quality and character.
"He joins us a young player still with many years ahead of him, yet with strong experience and already proven at the very highest level.
Latest transfer news
“We believe that his style and ability complements perfectly the midfielders already at the club, and we are very pleased to have secured his signing so early in the summer.
“We look forward to seeing the impact he will have in a West Ham shirt, and believe that he has all of the qualities required to become a big success in the Premier League.”
Fornals has made two senior appearances for Spain, the most recent coming last November against Bosnia.
