Edimilson Fernandes has joined German Bundesliga club 1. FSV Mainz on a permanent transfer for a fee believed to be nine million Euros (£8m).
The Switzerland midfielder departs West Ham United after three years in east London, having joined the Hammers from Sion in August 2016. Fernandes totalled 48 first-team appearances across his first two seasons at London Stadium, scoring a solitary goal in an EFL Cup win over Chelsea in October 2016.
The 23-year-old midfielder was on loan to Fiorentina this past season and has signed a four-year contract with the Mainz until 2023.
Fernandes featuring in 33 matches last season and notching two goals and two assists for Fiorentina. The right-footer has also made eight appearances for the Swiss senior national team.
“Edimilson Fernandes is a box-to-box player with a strong background in football, who is strong on offence as well as defence—something he has proven at the highest level in both the Premier League and Serie A. His athletic ability, positive outlook and age all make him a great fit for our central midfield. He is still able to develop himself further in order to reach his full potential,” said Mainz 05 sporting director Rouven Schröder.
“Edimilson Fernandes will strengthen our midfield straight away with his strong physical presence, his agility and his good technique. His strength in challenges as well as his desire to always win the ball and then to put his team on the front foot will allow him to fit into our system perfectly. Edimilson is a complete midfielder who we want to raise to another level here in Mainz,” said Mainz head coach Sandro Schwarz.
“Mainz 05 work very seriously and are well known for developing young talent and giving them a chance to improve. I will work hard to do the same. I’m now excited for the challenge of playing in the Bundesliga and to play in front of the Mainz fans,” said Edimilson Fernandes.
Why an undisclosed fee? Makes me believe we’re selling for peanuts.
Genuine question, why are some fees undisclosed?
It’s used by every club when they have reasons for not disclosing it Dom – probably for the reason you mention 🙂
I wish him well, I think we never gave him a consistent run in the team and I don’t think we ever really played him in his best position as a CM. I really hope he does it for Mainz while I think 8m is a also a good deal for West Ham. That’s 4 players off the payroll now in Carroll, Nasri, Adrian and Fernandez. That’s approximately 10m off the wage bill this year and 6-8m in the bank so that’s a nice bonus for Pelle to spend. Now we need to focus on keep trimming the squad further if we can, players like Byran, Hugil, Obiang, Hernandez, Perez, Oxford, Cressie and possibly even Reid. Good offers for Ogbonno, Fredericks and Snodgrass could all be considered.
I think if we got rid of all of them we would only raise enough ££ to buy one or at a push two decent players. We need to keep a number of ‘squad players’ who know they aren’t always going to start.
If we could raise £30/35m in player sales that could be enough to get in who we want.
Fenernandes going doesn’t concern me in any way. He has been here since 2016 & if he hasn’t made the grade by now he never will, £8m & another tidy sum off the wage bill… happy days!!
Right move but wonder if we have a sell on clause