WEST HAM UNITED SIGN DEFENDER AARON WAN-BISSAKA FROM MANCHESTER UNITED FOR £15 MILLION
West Ham United have signed England international Aaron Wan-Bissaka from Manchester United, the team announced on Tuesday.
Per European transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano, the deal includes a fixed £15 million transfer fee. Wan-Bissaka signs with the Hammers on a lengthy seven-year deal that ties him to the East London club until June 2031. The Croydon-born right back will wear the no.29 shirt at West Ham and is now back in the English capital after five years in Manchester. Wan-Bissaka previously played for South London-based Crystal Palace.
“It was a no-brainer for me to join West Ham,” said the English right back. “I’m excited and happy to be here. It’s an amazing feeling to be back in London, and I’m excited for what’s coming. I was born here, so I know the ins and outs of London, which plays a big part in my life. So, to be back playing in this city means a lot to me.”
“I’m happy to be here. I’m grateful for the warm welcome, and I’m excited to be playing for the club and will give it my all. I can’t wait to get on the pitch, get to know the players, and push on from there. I see a team that is in it together, that will push each other to win, and a group that has got each other’s backs through thick and thin. So, being part of that and having that insurance helps a lot when you are surrounded by a good squad.”
Wan-Bissaka’s move to West Ham is the culmination of over a month of talks and negotiations between the club and Manchester United. West Ham made its first bid for Wan-Bissaka in July and wanted to get the deal over the line before their Premier League opener against Aston Villa this weekend. Both clubs agreed on the transfer fee on Saturday.
Wan-Bissaka, 26, travelled to London from Manchester on Sunday but saw his medical scheduled for 4pm that afternoon delayed. He completed the rescheduled medical on Monday morning and signed all documents late in the afternoon.
“I am delighted that we’ve been able to get the deal to sign Aaron over the line,” said West Ham Sporting Director Tim Steidten. “He’s exactly the type of player we’re looking to attract to this club in the prime years of his career. He’s an incredibly talented defender who we rate very highly – superb in one-on-one situations. He’s versatile too, which is clearly another positive.”
“He’s played over 170 Premier League games during his career – he knows the division inside-out. I’d like to personally thank the Board for their continued backing to bring players of such quality to West Ham. It’s a really exciting time for us as we prepare for the start of the new season this weekend.”
Wan-Bissaka is the second defender signed by West Ham this weekend after the club acquired French center back Jean-Clair Todibo from Nice on Saturday. Amongst other notable defensive players signed by the club this summer is former Wolverhampton Wanderers center back Maximilian Kilman, who marveled at his warm welcome to the club in an interview with Sky Sports this week. Kilman hinted that his desire to progress as a player played a part in his decision to join the club.
With Wan-Bissaka still in the prime of his career, Manchester United needed to find a new destination for the talented right back this summer, as the club prepared to sign Moroccan fullback Noussair Mazraoui from Bayern Munich. Mazraoui, together with his Bayern and Ajax teammate, Matthijs de Ligt, had their medicals at Carrington on Monday. Both players are set to be officially announced as Manchester United players in the next 24 hours.
-Maher Abucheri
Twitter: @pabloikonyero
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