West Ham have announced that they have completed the signing of Jack Wilshere on a free transfer.
The 26-year-old has signed a three year deal at the London Stadium having decided not to renew his deal at Arsenal after new Gunners boss Unai Emery told him he wasn’t a part of his plans for the first team.
Despite long-term concerns over his fitness, he has attracted the attentions of a number of clubs in the last few months, including Everton, Crystal Palace and Fenerbahce, but has decided to make his Dad and Brother happy by joining the team they have supported all of their life.
Wilshere, who also grew up supporting the Hammers, has described the move as ‘special’:
“It feels good, it feels special,” he told the official West Ham website.
“Many people know that I’ve had a special bond with this Club growing up.
“People will have seen the picture of me in a West Ham shirt and I’ve got good memories of my childhood supporting West Ham, watching them at Upton Park. It feels good and of course my family and a few of my friends are West Ham fans so everyone’s buzzing.”
He will fly out to Switzerland to meet his new manager and team-mates, who have already started their pre-season preparations ahead of the 2018/19 Premier League season.
West Ham are also thought to be close to wrapping up a £17.5 million deal to sign Andriy Yarmolenko from Borussia Dortmund.