West Ham have strengthened their midfield ahead of the new Premier League season by signing Spanish international playmaker Pablo Fornals.
The 23-year-old has joined Manuel Pellegrini's side from Villarreal on a five-year contract.
West Ham say he's become the second most expensive signing in the club's history behind Felipe Anderson.
The Brazilian joined last summer in a reported 40-million Euro deal.
"I'm very happy to be part of West Ham," Fornals 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 giving opportunities to young and ambitious people, people who want to do well for the long term."
We are delighted to announce the signing of highly sought-after Spain international attacking midfielder Pablo Fornals #WelcomeFornalshttps://t.co/syMfrNv9Gs
— West Ham United (@WestHamUtd) June 14, 2019
West Ham director of football Mario Husillos worked with Fornals during his time at Malaga and he's confident the midfielder, who will play at this summer's European under-21 Championships, will be a success in east London.
"We are very happy to welcome Pablo to West Ham United as our third new signing this summer.
"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.
"This is something that is very important for us at West Ham United now - not only a very good player but also a very good person with a good mentality.
"To represent Spain as a full international at the age of 20, and then to have made over 150 appearances in La Liga by the age of 23, is a sign of great quality and character. He joins us a young player still with many years ahead of him, yet with strong experience and already proven at the very highest level.
"We believe that his style and ability complements perfectly the midfielders already at the club, and we are very pleased to have secured his signing so early in the summer. Now he will go to Italy to play for Spain in the Under-21 European Championships, where we hope we will have success before coming to London.
"We look forward to seeing the impact he will have in a West Ham shirt, and believe that he has all of the qualities required to become a big success in the Premier League."
