Hammers complete Fonte signing

West Ham have completed the signing of Jose Fonte from Southampton.

The Euro 2016 winner had been linked with a number of clubs after submitting a transfer request at St Mary's but he has opted to make the move to the London Stadium, signing a two-and-a-half-year deal with the option for a further year.

West Ham have agreed an £8million fee for the Portugal international.

“I signed for West Ham because they are a great club and a very big club. They have a lot of fans and I have known for a number of years how passionate they are," Fonte told West Ham's official website.

“The manager was also a very big influence. I thought that he really wanted me and that he sold me the project and the ambition of the Club.

“I also have part of my family living in London and they are big West Ham fans. It just made sense for me at this stage to join West Ham. It is a new challenge and a new beginning and I am looking forward to it.

“With the way that West Ham is going we can only look to be challenging in the top eight.

“I told the manager in conversations that we want to win and we want to win trophies. The ambition is big and we need to aim high.

“West Ham are a massive club and it is an exciting challenge and it should be for everyone. We all need to get together and start working.”

Fonte will not be available for Saturday's Premier League tie against Middlesbrough, but he could make his debut when Manchester City visit the London Stadium on February 1.

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