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Official: West Ham sign Spanish keeper

West Ham have confirmed the signing of Spanish goalkeeper Roberto on a free transfer.

The experienced 33-year-old will join the Hammers on 1 July, after his contract with La Liga club Espanyol expires, on a two-year deal with the Club having the option for a further 12 months.

Roberto, who has played more than 300 senior matches in Spain, Portugal and Greece, winning six trophies and appearing in the UEFA Champions League, is looking forward to a new challenge with the Hammers.

“From the beginning when I knew I was going to come here, I was very excited about the new experience,” said the stopper speaking to WHUFC.com, whose full name is Roberto Jimenez Gago. “I consider this step a big step in my career. I think everyone who follows football knows the importance of this Club, so I’m really excited.

“I am looking forward to playing in the Premier League, of course. It’s a big challenge as I consider this to be one of the two best and biggest leagues in the world, with our league in Spain, and I think it’s a dream for every player to come here and play in the Premier League, so I’m looking forward to getting started.”

Director of Football Mario Husillos is familiar with Roberto’s work and believes West Ham have signed a top goalkeeper.

“I worked with Roberto during my time at Malaga,” he confirmed. “He is a fantastic goalkeeper, who has a great deal of experience in football, having played at the highest level. During his time at Olympiakos, I spoke regularly with the coaches and many of them spoke about Roberto as one of the biggest goalkeepers in the history of the club.

“He is at a brilliant age for a goalkeeper, and we are extremely happy to bring him to West Ham United. He is a brilliant professional and a brilliant person. He has all the qualities to play in the Premier League and be very successful.”

Roberto is reported to have earned 11,000 Euros (£9,750) per week at Espanyol meaning his contract with West Ham could be very reasonable indeed compared with the £50,000 per week paid to Adrian.  Son of Alvin Martin, David is still expected to join West Ham on a free transfer as the third choice keeper in the coming weeks.  Nathan Trott is expected to be loaned out to a Championship club.

 

 

About Sean Whetstone

I am Season Ticket Holder in West stand lower at the London Stadium and before that, I used to stand in the Sir Trevor Brooking Lower Row R seat 159 in the Boleyn Ground and in the Eighties I stood on the terraces of the old South Bank. I am a presenter on the West Ham Podcast called MooreThanJustaPodcast.co.uk. A Blogger on WestHamTillIdie.com a member of the West Ham Supporters Advisory Board (SAB), Founder of a Youtube channel called Mr West Ham Football at http://www.youtube.com/MrWestHamFootball, I am also the associate editor here at Claret and Hugh. Life Long singer of bubbles! Come on you Irons! Follow me at @Westhamfootball on twitter

4 comments on “Official: West Ham sign Spanish keeper

  1. Is he any better than Adrian or he just comes at a lower salary deal?

  2. No mention of this over the past few weeks. Maybe MP and MH will quietly pull some more rabbits out of their sombreros. Looking forward to finding out! Makes a man want to speak Spanish …

  3. Yes Hugh I know Adrian was out of contact but surely he could have been offered a new one if he was happy to.be a #2

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