West Ham United Football Club has successfully completed the signing of English midfielder James Ward-Prowse from Southampton in a noteworthy transfer deal valued at £30 million ($38 million). The agreement, sealed on Monday, sees Ward-Prowse committing to a four-year contract with the Hammers, marking his swift return to the Premier League after Southampton’s unfortunate relegation.
With a distinguished career spanning 410 appearances for Southampton, the 28-year-old Ward-Prowse held the prestigious role of captain as the club faced relegation during the previous Premier League season. Now, his journey leads him to the London Stadium, where he aims to fill the void left by the departure of fellow England midfielder Declan Rice, who secured a £105 million transfer to Arsenal in July.
Expressing his anticipation for the new chapter in his career, Ward-Prowse stated, “From the outside looking in, this is a club that has been on the rise for a number of years now and coming off the success in the UEFA Europa Conference League last year.” He further added, “You can feel there is real momentum around this club. It’s great to be a part of it and I can’t wait to play my role in the games to come.”
Ward-Prowse’s affiliation with Southampton dates back to his childhood, having joined the club’s academy at the tender age of eight. His dedication and skill earned him 11 caps representing England on the international stage, during which he netted two goals for his country. An integral part of Southampton’s set-up, he impressively scored 17 Premier League free-kicks for the club, needing just one more to equal the longstanding competition record set by David Beckham.
This acquisition marks West Ham’s second major signing post the last season, closely following their recent capture of Ajax midfielder Edson Alvarez. Embracing the ethos of hard work and dedication, Ward-Prowse fittingly commented, “When I think about my game, it is based on hard work, graft, and giving 100 per cent. West Ham has always been a club that epitomizes that.” He assured, “I feel as though I will fit straight in and I can promise I will give my all for this football club in my time here.”
With West Ham’s season underway, having commenced with a 1-1 draw against Bournemouth on Saturday, the prospect of Ward-Prowse making his debut is looming large. Fans and spectators are eager to witness the talented midfielder potentially taking to the field in the upcoming London derby against Chelsea on Sunday.
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