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It’s official – Areola signs

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West Ham United sign goalkeeper Alphonse Areola

West Ham United is delighted to confirm Alphonse Areola has completed a permanent transfer from Paris Saint-Germain.

As ClaretandHugh had revealed a couple of days back the signing was set to be revealed within 72 hours and the Hammers have now made the announcement.

Areola joins the Hammers on a five-year contract until the summer of 2027, with a further one-year option, following a successful loan spell at London Stadium last season.

The 29-year-old played a starring role in West Ham’s run to the UEFA Europa League semi-finals, keeping five clean sheets, conceding just eight goals and making numerous important saves in his eleven appearances, and also featured in the Premier League, Emirates FA Cup and Carabao Cup.

Now, the France international is looking forward to continuing his career in east London on a permanent basis and linking up with his teammates again for pre-season training ahead of a 2022/23 campaign that will include the UEFA Europa Conference League and FIFA World Cup finals.

I feel good, I feel great, I’m happy to sign and happy to stay here permanently and I can’t wait to start to train and to do the job,” said Areola.

The main thing is that I felt the love of the supporters last season. Something for me that is really important is to feel that I’m loved. I know that I have to do my job and to do everything to make them happy, and obviously also the team, my teammates, the staff and Xavi Valero as well. The vibe of last season was great, so I just wanted to do everything to stay here.

I feel comfortable, I feel like when I’m signing in a club, I want to feel that it’s like my second family. Obviously, we’re here every day and we are sharing lots of times together, so I have to feel comfortable with everyone and feel them comfortable with me as well, so I just feel comfortable here.”

The Paris-born goalkeeper became a firm favourite during his debut season in Claret and Blue, helping West Ham to memorable Carabao Cup victories over Manchester United – on debut – and Manchester City, earning the Player of the Round award after making seven saves in the latter.

The No13 made 29 saves in eleven ties, including a vital, spectacular one-handed stop to deny Sevilla’s Youssef En-Nesyri that paved the way for West Ham’s 2-0 round of 16 second-leg victory at London Stadium and earned him the Save of the Season award. 

Manager David Moyes welcomed the arrival of Areola, commenting: “Alphonse made a huge contribution to the Club during his loan spell last season. His performances backed up why we see him as a top goalkeeper.

He brings proven quality and experience at the highest level, both on the domestic and international scene. We’re delighted he’s with us permanently and look forward to welcoming him back for pre-season.”

ClaretandHugh says: Top signing even though it may have taken a while longer than many including us expected. There was much talk of a move for Nick Pope but we understand that Alphonse was always the Moyes favourite and we can expect to see him starting to nail down the No 1 position next season. Lukasz Fabianski was a fabulous signing for the club and has been, and remains, a great keeper for us but the clock is ticking and Areola can now expect to be following in his footsteps very quickly.

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Hugh Southon is a lifelong Iron and the founding editor of ClaretandHugh. He is a national newspaper journalist of many years experience and was Bobby Moore's 'ghost' writer during the great man's lifetime. He describes ClaretandHugh as "the Hammers daily newspaper!"

Follow on Twitter @hughsouthon

4 comments

  • The Moyesiah says:

    Great piece of business!

  • West Aussie Hammer 1 says:

    This is a top signing and a no brainer.
    I really rate him and a good bit of business.
    Our first 2 singings are great additions, long May it continue.
    COYI

  • The Cat says:

    Patience is a virtue, especially when we are not privy to what is happening behind the scenes.
    This signing of Alphonse Areola is another well-planned, well-thought-out, and fantastic addition to the long-term strategy of where this club is headed.
    This is another successful “try before you buy” loans, which has evolved into a long-term deal where the team’s spine has been strengthened.
    Along with experienced Mark Warburton being added as the first-team assistant coach, I’d say that the structure of this club is moving in the right direction.
    This beats our old-style scattergun approach any day.

    • ljd1980 says:

      Totally agree with this comment. And, of course, the signing comes mere days after the doom mongers told us that Nick Pope’s signing on the dotted line at Newcastle was another sign that Moyes/Newman have no clue how to perform in the transfer market.

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