WEST HAM SIGN CENTRE-BACK NAYEF AGUERD FROM RENNES
West Ham United have signed 26-year-old centre-back Nayef Aguerd from Ligue Un side Rennes on a permanent deal worth £30million (€35million) including add-ons, the third-highest fee paid by West Ham for a player after Sebastien Haller (£45million), and Felipe Anderson (£36million).
Aguerd has been one of West Ham’s primary targets this summer and signed a five-year contract that will keep him at the club until the summer of 2027. The deal consists of a guaranteed fee of £26.5million and add-ons of £3.5million, taking the total value of the deal to £30milllion.
Rennes also tweeted announcing that the club had reached an agreement with West Ham on the transfer of Aguerd, and wished him good luck for the future.
The Moroccan international is a combative and technical defender, two traits that will help him adapt well to the Premier League. The 6-foot 2 defender’s technical ability is an impressive attribute that he can bring to the team. Aguerd completed more long passes (173) than any other center-back in Ligue Un last season. His 27 forward passes and 7 passes to the final third per 90 in the league show how much confidence and composure he has in possession. He also had more shots following a corner (21) than any other player at his position.
Aguerd will provide competition at the club for other centre-backs like Craig Dawson, Issa Diop, Angelo Ogbonna, and Kurt Zouma, although there are still questions around one of those players leaving the club.
“I was really excited when I heard about West Ham United’s interest,“ said Aguerd. “When I heard about it, I knew I needed to go to the Premier League, because it’s a dream for every player. West Ham is a historic Club. I saw a few of their games this year, and I saw the fans and the atmosphere were fantastic, with the bubbles! I talked with the manager and he showed me that he was very interested, so it was easy to choose to come to West Ham.”
In a statement released by West Ham, David Moyes said: “I am delighted to welcome Nayef to West Ham United. We have tracked his progress for some time and I’m very pleased that we have been able to complete the signing. He’s a great addition that will add to our defensive options. I have been really impressed with Nayef’s character and attitude during our discussions. He has a great desire to improve and be successful, and I am sure he will fit in very well to the environment we have at Rush Green.”
Aguerd is West Ham’s first acquisition of the summer but David Moyes is reportedly targeting up to six more additions according to The Evening Standard. Moyes’ focus this summer is on depth, as reported by Sky Sports’ Kaveh Solhekol. West Ham had injury problems at the centre-back position last season with Ogbonna and Zouma, hence Aguerd’s addition providing some measure of security.
Aguerd has experience playing in Europe and scored twice last season for Rennes in the UEFA Europa Conference League play-off round. West Ham desperately need experienced players after the retirement of long-term captain Mark Noble and will push for another successful European campaign this coming season. The club got to their best ever stage in Europe last season as David Moyes guided the team to the Europa League semifinals where they bowed out to eventual Europa League champions, Eintracht Frankfurt. West Ham will play in the UEFA Europa Conference League next season.
Aguerd also revealed that he wanted to wear the number 6, his shirt number at Rennes, but understood that it was retired for West Ham legend and England great Bobby Moore: “I wore no.6 at Rennes and I wanted it again here, but I know the story behind it here. It’s retired for the legend. I picked no.27 because in Morocco this is my best friend’s favorite number.” Bobby Moore famously lifted England’s only World Cup trophy at Wembley as captain in 1966. His no.6 shirt was retired on the fourth of August, 2008.
Aguerd tweeted after signing on Monday saying: “I am delighted to announce to you that I am joining West Ham United. I can’t wait to start training with my new teammates and to discover the atmosphere at the London Olympic Stadium. Come On You Irons!”
Speaking about how he wants to see West Ham perform next season, Aguerd said: “West Ham this year will play in the Europa Conference League and we need to play every game. I’ll do my best to help the team and to try and keep the team at the top. It’ll be hard but we’ll be doing everything to make everyone happy.”
-Maher Abucheri
Twitter: @pabloikonyero