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| Wan-Bissaka made 190 appearances for United. Photo: X@WestHam |
On Tuesday, West Ham United Football Club announced the acquisition of Manchester United Football Club defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka for a reported transfer fee of £15 million ($19 million).
Wan-Bissaka, a 26-year-old right-back, has signed a
seven-year contract with the Hammers after spending the previous five years at
Old Trafford.
During his tenure at Manchester United, Wan-Bissaka made a
total of 190 appearances for the club following his transfer from Crystal
Palace in 2019.
While he was a part of the team’s unexpected FA Cup final
victory over Manchester City last season, he was not included in the plans of
United manager Erik ten Hag for the upcoming season.
“It’s an amazing feeling to be back in London and I’m
excited for what’s coming,” Wan-Bissaka said.
“I was born here and I know the ins and outs of London,
which plays a big part in my life, so to be back playing in this city means a
lot to me.”
Manchester United is anticipated to acquire Bayern Munich's
right-back Noussair Mazraoui as a replacement for Wan-Bissaka.
Wan-Bissaka marks West Ham's eighth acquisition of the
summer, following their signings of Jean-Clair Todibo, Crysencio Summerville,
Luis Guilherme, Niclas Fullkrug, Wes Foderingham, Max Kilman, and Guido
Rodriguez.
“I can’t wait to get on the pitch, get to know the players
and push on from there,” Wan-Bissaka said.
“I see a team that is in it together, that will push each
other to win, and a group that has got each others’ backs through thick and
thin.”
Tim Steidten, the technical director of Hammers, stated that
Wan-Bissaka's experience in the Premier League would be advantageous for the
club's new manager, Julen Lopetegui.
He may have the opportunity to make his debut for West Ham
in their first Premier League match against Aston Villa on August 17.
“He’s exactly the type of player we’re looking to attract to
this club while in the prime years of his career,” Steidten said.
“He’s an incredibly talented defender who we rate very
highly and who is superb in one-on-one situations. He’s versatile too, which is
clearly another positive.
“He’s played over 170 Premier League games during his career
so he knows the division inside-out.”
