Edson Alvarez: West Ham sign Ajax & Mexico midfielder for about £35m - BBC Sport
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Edson Alvarez: West Ham sign Ajax & Mexico midfielder for about £35m

Last updated on .From the section West Hamcomments244

Edson Alvarez sits at a desk as he signs for West Ham
Edson Alvarez was part of the Mexico side that won the 2023 Gold Cup by beating Panama in the final

West Ham have signed Mexico midfielder Edson Alvarez from Ajax in a deal thought to be worth about £35m.

The 25-year-old was a central figure in the Mexico side that won the Concacaf Gold Cup in the United States this summer.

Alvarez is the club's first signing of the summer following the departure of Declan Rice to Arsenal for £105m.

"It's a hugely sentimental moment for me in my career - it is a dream for me and my family," Alvarez said.

"The Premier League is a special league, the best league in the world and I think my style will suit it.

"I now have a responsibility to West Ham and the West Ham family and I will give absolutely everything for the shirt."

Manager David Moyes added: "We're really pleased to add Edson to our squad. The midfield area was one we were especially keen to strengthen this summer - and Edson will complement the other options we have in that department.

"He's an experienced international player, who has enjoyed great success for both club and country during his career to date."

West Ham have agreed deals for Manchester United's Harry Maguire and Southampton's James Ward-Prowse worth about £60m in total.

They are also interested in signing Cole Palmer from Manchester City.

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244 comments

  • Comment posted by Chesse, at 13:11 10 Aug 2023

    A 25 year old with 68 caps for a nation ranked 15th in the world, 24 Champions League appearances, two Dutch titles and two Gold Cups. Got to have something about him.

    • Reply posted by CashelBoyleOConnorFitzmauriceTisdallFarrell, at 14:30 10 Aug 2023

      CashelBoyleOConnorFitzmauriceTisdallFarrell replied:
      Your sensible, objective opinions are not welcome here...

  • Comment posted by Emmastan291, at 12:35 10 Aug 2023

    Alvarez, James Ward-Prowse and Bowen with Paqueta looks good for West Ham

    • Reply posted by Jim1802uk, at 12:40 10 Aug 2023

      Jim1802uk replied:
      If Pep keeps his dirty little hands off Paquetá , yes. I hope Pac doesn't leave.

  • Comment posted by Glen Brighton, at 12:18 10 Aug 2023

    Who needs rice when you can have a Mexican with extra spice?

    • Reply posted by 6060 842, at 12:25 10 Aug 2023

      6060 842 replied:
      Spice, spice, spice baby........

  • Comment posted by rellis, at 12:44 10 Aug 2023

    Anyone who moans about another footballer saying it is "a dream to join a club LIKE West Ham " needs to understand where these South/Central American players come from. They look on their careers as an opportunity to set up extended families for life NOT themselves. That is why they try so much harder than English footballers whose families and them are pampered from the time of signing at 13

    • Reply posted by YasyMeva, at 14:16 10 Aug 2023

      YasyMeva replied:
      How do you know what his motivation is? Your comment is verging on xenophobic to be honest...

  • Comment posted by Word_Vision, at 12:17 10 Aug 2023

    Its a wonder Ajax have any players remaining after a transfer window ...🤔

    • Reply posted by sonnmatt, at 13:12 10 Aug 2023

      sonnmatt replied:
      They will simply get a replacement you have never heard of for a very small fee and sell on to an EPL club for £35 million plus in the next 2 years or so.

  • Comment posted by richiejv, at 12:13 10 Aug 2023

    Good to see the self-imposed transfer ban is finally over. Very excited with this signing, hopefully Alvarez will fit in well in the PL.

    • Reply posted by Your Display Name, at 14:23 10 Aug 2023

      Your Display Name replied:
      They're only spending what they received for Rice.

      Don't be fooled, the owners still take 100% of the yearly dividend.

      Want to buy a Season Ticket?

  • Comment posted by Sweaty Palms, at 12:21 10 Aug 2023

    With Alvarez in and Maguire plus JWP probably in it will all be for nothing if they let Paqueta go. Heads should roll if he does.

    • Reply posted by youlesie23, at 12:44 10 Aug 2023

      youlesie23 replied:
      Unfortunately the one that should roll, won't. Can always rely on David Sullivan to hold this club back.

  • Comment posted by chasby, at 12:31 10 Aug 2023

    Welcome to West Ham Edson, you look a great signining and I think you will fit in well, especially with you passion and determination on the ball. Enjoy....

    • Reply posted by Mike Torrinos Cellphone Battery, at 19:40 10 Aug 2023

      Mike Torrinos Cellphone Battery replied:
      A real ball winning hard man. Took long enough to sign a player but he's quality and an absolute terrier

  • Comment posted by rellis, at 12:39 10 Aug 2023

    If signings go through: 3-5-2; Zouma,Maguire,Aguerd (who has the pace to cover)Emerson/Cornet LWB, Coufal/Johnson(only Coufal can defend but have cover)+new signing?RWB; Alvarez+JWP holding(JWP allowed to go forward) Paqueta(if we keep him) roaming; Bowen and striker(new signing but won't have to work as hard ) up front. Won't happen but can carry on dreaming as have done since 1971

    • Reply posted by whybother, at 12:42 10 Aug 2023

      whybother replied:
      It’ll be 5-4-1. Always is with Moyes. Anti-football.

  • Comment posted by Happy Hammer, at 13:11 10 Aug 2023

    Well that took some time, but welcome Edson, let’s hope you can make an impact in the PL.

  • Comment posted by luke, at 13:36 10 Aug 2023

    nice 3 days to setlle in...

    • Reply posted by Mike Torrinos Cellphone Battery, at 19:43 10 Aug 2023

      Mike Torrinos Cellphone Battery replied:
      The window needs to open earlier and close earlier. Never made sense to me why it's still open after a ball is kicked, except loans of younger players

  • Comment posted by Dan Eade, at 13:27 10 Aug 2023

    He's one of those players that has always been pretty great at what he does, just plays in a less glamourous league in an unglamorous position. This is a good move by West Ham if he can replicate his international and Champions League form here in the Prem

  • Comment posted by expro, at 13:10 10 Aug 2023

    Signing soured by the board allowing discussions with Man City over Lucas P.

    • Reply posted by rellis, at 13:25 10 Aug 2023

      rellis replied:
      agree it would be a big loss,but If Man City come calling? Rice turned them down,but that is an exception.WHU have ALWAYS lost their best players(apart from Brooking +Devonshire from a different era)I would not blame the player.would be big loss as only creative Midfielder we have,but can be replaced if the will is there. get 2 on loan+cash,+have enough left to spend big on striker+midfielder

  • Comment posted by One Day, at 12:43 10 Aug 2023

    Alvarez is a good player in an average Mexican squad. Will fit in well with West Ham, although does like an injury in the past. Good luck to the lad though.

  • Comment posted by jripp, at 13:36 10 Aug 2023

    West Ham doing some great business. Just need a striker.

    • Reply posted by JazzmanTB, at 13:58 10 Aug 2023

      JazzmanTB replied:
      its coming expect an announcement soon

  • Comment posted by Northern Light, at 12:43 10 Aug 2023

    He won the Gold Cup?
    He's obviously quicker than he looks!
    (And Andy Carroll must be gutted.....)

    • Reply posted by Mr Basil, at 13:12 10 Aug 2023

      Mr Basil replied:
      Who rode him?

  • Comment posted by FMC40, at 14:38 10 Aug 2023

    As a West Ham fan I'm over the moon we have finally signed some quality. Alvarez, JWP & Maguire (if they sign) could thrive at the London Stadium. I just hope Moyes plays them and we don't see a repeat of last season with our new 'stars' on the bench. Fingers crossed we sign a half decent striker.

    • Reply posted by D1702334860079, at 14:48 10 Aug 2023

      D1702334860079 replied:
      If Moyes converts Maguire into a box-to-box midfielder like a Viera who, it'll turn his side into a top6 club. I cannot believe Utd let him go like that, it just shows the quality of ETH isn't what you should expect. In years to come you'll see.

  • Comment posted by Svendover, at 16:13 10 Aug 2023

    Hope Pacqueta doesn’t leave, my eldest son has been chanting, “ just sold your stars to Pep and Arteta “ for the last 24 hours and it is driving me insane.

    • Reply posted by RiversOwn, at 18:58 10 Aug 2023

      RiversOwn replied:
      lol, very good

  • Comment posted by D1693642980712, at 17:26 10 Aug 2023

    Solid signing, Watched him quite a few times in the champions league wouldn’t of minded him at NUFC, If West Ham keep Paquetá they will have a decent season.

  • Comment posted by Straightbat, at 15:15 10 Aug 2023

    Where are the goals going to come from? How often did we get the first goal last season? We always seemed to be chasing games in the league.

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