Lucas Perez joins West Ham from Arsenal

West Ham United have announced the signing of 29-year-old Lucas Perez from Arsenal. Perez joins on a three year deal for a fee thought to be near £5 million.

Perez spent most of last season on loan with Real Club Deportivo de La Coruña in La Liga where he bagged seven goals in 34 appearances.

He was signed by Arsenal in 2016 from Deportivo for a fee near £17 million. He’s been loaned out to Deportivo for the 2017-18 season.

Perez will likely slot in as a back-up striker as Marko Arnautovic and Javier Hernandez should figure prominently in Manuel Pellegrini’s plans. Perez will likely give us a better option than the recently loaned Jordan Hugill. For £5 million he could be a bargain buy that pays off should an injury befall Marko or Chicharito.

The situation will become a bit more crowded when the often injured Andy Carroll is finally (if ever) healthy.

Perez is the eighth signing of the summer following Ryan Fredericks, Issa Diop, Lukasz Fabianski, Fabian Balbuena, Jack Wilshere, and Felipe Anderson.

He told the official club site, “I’m very happy to be here at such an historic Club,” he said. “I’m very excited, as West Ham are giving me the chance to stay in the Premier League and I’m very happy to be part of this new project.

“West Ham have great fans and play in an amazing stadium, so to sign here brings me great joy. I’m very motivated.”

Director of Football (gosh it feels good to type that still) Mario Husillos told the site, “We welcome Lucas to West Ham United,” he said. “He is a very experienced player that Manuel and I both know well from Spain.

“He has great technical quality, and can play as both the main striker or the second striker in a deeper role. He scores goals, but can also create them and link well with the midfielders.”

Welcome to West Ham Lucas!