:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/55803779/539135420.0.jpg)
Our long international wait is over, West Ham United have signed a striker! Mexican international Javier (Chicharito) Hernández is set to complete his move to the London Stadium the club have confirmed.
A deal has been agreed for @CH14_https://t.co/6oTXPx6VTr
— West Ham United (@WestHamUtd) July 20, 2017
Chicharito joins from Bayer Leverkusen where he scored 28 goals in 54 appearances in all competitions. Prior to joining Leverkusen he played one season on loan at Real Madrid scoring 7 goals in 24 appearances. He burst onto the radar after from Chivas Guadalajara in Mexico to Manchester United. In Manchester he scored 37 goals in 104 appearances.
Javier "Chicharito" Hernández said he is joining West Ham next season. He has scored 37 goals in 103 Premier League games since 2010. pic.twitter.com/Uggrv2F9SF
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) July 20, 2017
He is a true poacher and seems to always pop up in the right spot to put pressure on defenders and keepers a like. Hammers fans in the United States know Chicharito well as he’s been the national team’s nemesis for almost a decade now.
He possesses a great first touch and is able to make space for himself to get shots off. He doesn’t have great pace but has enough to sneak in behind defenders and make timely runs. With Michail Antonio and Manuel Lanzini’s runs into the box Chicharito should have a feast of chances next season. He’s a been scorer in the Premier League, Bundesliga, and on the international level in CONCACAF and World Cups. This is truly and exciting signing for the Hammers.
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/8883403/805592832.jpg)
His proven track record in the Premier League and his relatively low fee could make this the signing of the transfer window. More importantly Chicharito has a relatively good history of staying healthy, something current strikers Andy Carroll and Diafra Sakho do not have. Hernandez’s longest spell injured was in 2015/16 with a collarbone break where he was sidelined for 46 days.
While only slightly below their historic average for goals scored in a season, the Hammers lacked a finishing touch last season missing many opportunities at goal. Andre Ayew I’m looking at you.
Chicharito will greatly improve the Hammers finishing in the box. He has made his living finding spaces there and putting chances home. Just see his goals for Bayer last season.
Welcome to West Ham United Javier! We’re excited to have you and are hoping for great things!