West Ham United have completed the signing of French centre-forward Sebastien Haller.
The versatile forward has signed a five-year contract at the London Stadium in a deal worth £45 million, a club-record fee for the Hammers.
This deal bests their 2018 summer transfer of Felipe Anderson, who the Hammers bought for a fee of £36 million from Serie A club Lazio.
Earlier, the Irons also had the likes of Callum Wilson and Maxi Gomez on their radar but failed in their pursuit to land either of the pair at the London Stadium.
The former agreed on a new contract with his current club Bournemouth while the Uruguayan stayed in La Liga and chose a move to Valencia at the last minute.
The departures of Lucas Perez, Andy Carroll, and a key figure in Marko Arnautovic meant a new striker signing was on the cards.
The Frenchman will have some big boots to fill at his new club and will mostly close the void left by the Austrian who moved to China early in the month.
Haller plundered 20 goals and 12 assists in 41 appearances across all competitions last season and played a vital role in the Bundesliga side’s run in Europe.
The former French under-21 International was also one of the transfer targets of Premier League giants Manchester United, which speaks volumes about his quality on the pitch.
The 25-year-old who stands in at 6ft 2in tall possesses great strength and physicality which will be a major boost to the Hammers fans.
His hold up play, ability to link up with teammates and aerial prowess to out-jump the opponents will sync in perfectly with Chilean manager Manuel Pellegrini’s style of play.
The former Utrecht man is entering the prime of his career and already boasts a plethora of goals under his belt which is a testament to his finishing in the final third.
Let’s look at some fans’ reactions as West Ham welcomes their fourth signing of the summer…
Some had their highlights reel prepared of the new signing…
Sébastien Haller (25 anos) no Eintracht Frankfurt:
? 77 jogos
⚽ 33 gols
?️ 18 assistências
? 1 títulopic.twitter.com/n1Fb6U9Adv— Daniel P. Serra (@danielps10) July 17, 2019
Sebastian haller skills and tricks pic.twitter.com/w6dakaq4RR
— Fabulous Fabianski (@FabFabianski) July 17, 2019
While some fans couldn’t control their excitement with the deal they struck…
BREAKING: West Ham Sign Sebastien Haller.
West Ham fans/players: pic.twitter.com/gADPIntYyd
— Samzini⚒ (@Samcam06) July 10, 2019
Mario Husillos walking into the West Ham boardroom after signing Sébastien Haller and agreeing to pay it in instalments. pic.twitter.com/97SeTkLKUo
— Claret, Bubbles & Balls (@_CBAB) July 10, 2019
? West Ham United have completed the signing of Sebastian Haller for a club record fee of £45m. The Frenchman will pen down a five year deal at the London Stadium.
Great acquisition one must say especially after the failures with Maxi Gomez.
*Haller is a hammer*
Mood: pic.twitter.com/mfdFqAjjkP
— SJ (@SweeperWriter) July 17, 2019
Haller confirmed
West Ham fans: pic.twitter.com/mKcCVmWxyr
— ⚒Cess⚒ (@YouLoveCess) July 17, 2019
Every West Ham fan after hearing Sébastian Haller is joining #WHUFC pic.twitter.com/m2MAeRzLcJ
— Frankie Levin (@FrankWHUFC) July 10, 2019
Attacking options of:
Wilshere, Lanzini, Fornals, Anderson, Yarmolenko, Antonio, Chicharito, Haller ??? pic.twitter.com/hX3zJGgjXp
— West Ham News (@whufc_news) July 16, 2019
And others had their songs prepared for the occasion…
All the way from Frankfurt
To play in claret and blue
To team up with Mark Noble
He’s West Ham through and through
Anderson Lanzini
Playing through the holes
We’re West Ham United
And we will get the goals!!HALLER HALLER HALLER
HALLER HALLER HALLER
COYI!!! #HALLER pic.twitter.com/9Ks0ZQoOz1
— Brad Palmer (@Mr_BA6) July 17, 2019
?? Welcome Haller ??#Haller #westhamunited pic.twitter.com/4piyblqnge
— ⚒Prince-Harris⚒ (@hashman88) July 17, 2019
Stat Courtesy: Transfermarkt
