West Ham have completed the signing of Spanish midfielder Pablo Fornals from Villarreal in a deal worth £24million.
Fornals, 23, scored five goals in all competitions from midfield last season and joins the Hammers on a five-year-deal, with a one-year extension option, signing as the second most expensive player in West Ham history after Felipe Anderson.
Sporting director Mario Husillos, who has been working on a list of targets agreed between himself and Manuel Pellegrini for months, is familiar with Fornals thanks to their time together at Malaga and moved quickly to land a deal after West Ham missed out on a deal for Andre Gomes, who spent last season on loan at Everton.
“I’m very happy to be part of West Ham, I feel very good, very happy and very grateful for the opportunity that has been provided to me," Fornals, who will join up with his new teammates following the U21s European Championships this summer, told the club website.
“I want the club to continue giving opportunities to young and ambitious people, people who want to do well for the long term.
“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?!”
Husillos added: “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."
Attacking midfielder Fornals, who has two caps for Spain at senior level, arrives as West Ham's first significant signing of the summer window following the additions of goalkeepers David Martin and Roberto on free transfers.
The east Londoners remain keen on signing a striker having released Andy Carroll and sold former Arsenal man Lucas Perez to Spanish side Alaves.
