West Ham have announced the signing of Jack Wilshere on a free transfer.
Wilshere left Arsenal at the start of the month after turning down an offer of a new deal from his boyhood club.
New Arsenal manager Unai Emery failed to offer assurances of regular playing time to Wilshere and the England international decided to find pastures new.
The 26-year-old had a lucrative offer on the table from Turkish giants Fenerbahce but has opted to sign a three-year deal with West Ham.
Wilshere underwent his medical with West Ham on Friday and will bolster Manuel Pellegrini’s midfield options ahead of the upcoming campaign.
“It feels good, it feels special. Many people know that I’ve had a special bond with this club growing up," Wilshere told the club's official website.
“People will have seen the picture of me in a West Ham shirt and I’ve good memories of my childhood supporting West Ham, watching them at Upton Park.
“It feels good and of course my family and a few of my friends are West Ham fan so everyone’s buzzing.
“I think it was a number of things [that convinced me to join]. The manager being one and the way he wants to play and where he sees me playing.
“The fans, of course – everyone knows how big Wes Ham’s fanbase is – and especially in this new stadium. Not many clubs could fill it week in, week out, and West Ham do.
“I want to be playing here in front of the Hammers, and my bond I’ve had with the club over my childhood will make it even more special.”
Wilshere is the fourth signing West Ham have made this season, following the arrival of goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski and defensive duo Issa Diop and Ryan Fredericks.
Pellegrini still wants to bolster his offensive options in the wake of Manuel Lanzini’s long-term knee injury and the Hammers have already been linked with a shock move to re-sign Dimitri Payet.
Wilshere appeared to put his injury woes behind him last season, but Arsenal actually had a better win ratio in the Premier League when the midfielder did not start (53.8%) compared to when he did feature from the off (41.7%).
