Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez Signs Three-Year Deal With West Ham

by Pablo MenaJuly 25, 2017, 2:06 pmDaily Digest, News, Z-Home Slider >

West Ham United finalized the signing of Mexican forward Javier Hernandez from German club Bayer Leverkusen on Monday.

Javier Chicharito Hernandez West Ham

The 29-year-old forward — who is nicknamed Chicharito (Spanish for “little pea”) —had one year remaining on his three-year contract with Leverkusen.

Hernandez’s deal with West Ham is for three years and is worth £16 million ($20.9 million), the English club confirmed.

“I am very happy to join West Ham United,” said Hernandez. “For me, the Premier League is the best league in the world and when the opportunity came, I was desperate to sign for this club.”

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“It was not a difficult decision. West Ham is an historic club, and very ambitious – this summer you can see with the players signed that they are looking to have a very good season.”

Before joining Leverkusen in August 2015 for £7.3 million ($9.52 million today), the forward played five years for Manchester United, including one year on loan to Real Madrid from 2014 to 2015. Hernandez got his senior career start playing for his hometown team Chivas Guadalajara in 2006 and played there until he arrived at Old Trafford in 2010.

In 156 total appearances for Manchester United, Hernandez scored 59 goals. He recorded 39 goals in 76 games in the Bundesliga, and nine goals in 33 appearances for Real Madrid.

West Ham’s signing of Hernandez follow’s the team’s record deal for Austrian attacking midfielder Marko Arnautovic, who inked a five-year contract worth £20m ($26 million) that could increase to £25 million ($32 million).

“We are delighted to welcome Javier as the latest fantastic addition to the West Ham United squad,” said West Ham Joint-Chairman David Sullivan in a statement. “Following the arrivals of Pablo Zabaleta, Joe Hart and Marko Arnautovic, he is another top class professional who brings great experience and quality to the Club.”

“He has a proven goalscoring record in the Premier League, La Liga and the Bundesliga, as well in the UEFA Champions League and at international level with Mexico.”

Hernandez became Mexico’s all-time leading goalscorer with 47 tallies in May, when he netted against Croatia in a friendly game. The forward also scored his 48th goal last month against Jose Fonte’s Portugal in the Confederations Cup. Hernandez also helped lead Mexico to win the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup, a tournament in which he finished as the top goalscorer and most valuable player. He also scored for Mexico in the 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cups, and made his international debut in September 2009 against Colombia.

The forward earned his nickname from his father, Javier Hernandez Gutierrez, a professional footballer himself, who was known as Chicharo (Pea) because of his green eyes.

West Ham signed Hart, Manchester City and England’s goalkeeper, to a season-long loan deal on July 18. Argentine star Zabaleta, a former City defender, also recently joined the Hammers on a free transfer.