West Ham have made Villarreal midfielder Pablo Fornals the second most-expensive signing in the club’s history, the Premier League side has announced.
The Hammers have reportedly shelled out £24m for the highly rated midfielder and Fornals has put pen to paper on a five-year deal with an option to a further 12 months.
Fornals is currently preparing for the U21 European Championships and West Ham have got a deal over the line before the tournament to avoid missing out on the talented playmaker.
“I’m very happy to be part of West Ham,” he told the club’s official website. “I feel very good, very happy and very grateful for the opportunity that has been provided to me.
“I want the club to continue betting on young and ambitios 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 here."
Pablo Fornals: Only two players created more chances in last season's Europa League than Fornals (26)
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) June 14, 2019
The Spaniard has joined West Ham on a five-year deal from Villarreal pic.twitter.com/QLau6MwhK4
It emerged earlier this week West Ham were in talks to sign the 23-year-old after cooling their interest in Celta Vigo ace Stanislav Lobotka, despite both players offering different qualities in midfield.
Only Oscar Rodriguez (48) made more key passes than Fornals (25) of players aged 23 and under in LaLiga last season.
Moreover, two players created more chances in last season’s Europa League campaign than Fornals (26).
