West Ham have completed the signing of Southampton captain James Ward-Prowse in a £30million deal.
The England international has signed a four-year contract and becomes the Hammers’s second summer signing after Edson Alvarez’s arrival from Ajax last week.
The club remain confident of adding Harry Maguire to that list, having agreed a £30m deal with Manchester United, with the England defender currently negotiating the terms of his Old Trafford exit.
David Moyes has been a long-term admirer of Ward-Prowse and made the 28-year-old a leading target following Southampton’s relegation from the Premier League at the end of last season. West Ham midfielder Flynn Downes is set to move to St. Mary’s on a season-long loan in what is considered a separate deal that could be finalised later on Monday.
“I’m delighted to bring a player of James’ quality and experience to West Ham United,” Moyes said. “He's performed to a very high level in the Premier League over the last decade, constantly producing good numbers season after season.
“His leadership qualities are obviously another huge plus for us – he’ll be a big voice for us, someone who drives the team on from the middle of the pitch.”
Ward-Prowse, who will wear the No7 shirt at the London Stadium, made 343 Premier League appearances for his boyhood club and has also won 11 England caps, though he has not featured under Gareth Southgate since November, having narrowly missed out on selection for each of the last two major tournaments.
The midfielder was left out of Southampton’s thrilling 4-4 draw with Norwich on Saturday as he finalised his move, but played a full part in pre-season and featured in the 2-1 win over Sheffield Wednesday on the opening day of the Championship season. He could make his debut when Chelsea visit the London Stadium on Sunday.
“I’m buzzing to be here,” he said. “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 Europa Conference League last year, you can feel there is real momentum around this club.
“When I think about my game, it is based on hard work, graft, and giving 100 per cent. West Ham United has always been a club that has epitomises that. You can feel that from the fans and you can see it in the players who are here and the lads that have come through the academy too.
“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.”
The signings of Ward-Prowse and Alvarez mean Moyes has now achieved his target of signing two central midfield players to replace Declan Rice following his £105m move to Arsenal, though the Irons could yet be forced back into the market should Manchester City strike a deal for Lucas Paqueta.
