West Ham United have signed midfielder James Ward-Prowse from Southampton on a four-year deal.
The England international, 28, has joined the Hammers on a four-year deal. Ward-Prowse joined Southampton at the age of eight and made 410 senior appearances as well as captaining the club, who were relegated to the Championship last season.
“I’m buzzing to be here at West Ham United,” he told the West Ham website, adding: “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.”
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West Ham manager David 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,” adding: “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 made his Saints debut as a 16-year-old in an EFL Cup tie against Crystal Palace in October 2011, while making his top-flight bow on the opening day of the 2012-13 season. Renowned for his set-piece delivery, only David Beckham has scored more than Ward-Prowse’s 17 goals from direct free-kicks in the Premier League.
Ward-Prowse becomes West Ham’s second signing of the transfer window following the arrival of fellow midfielder Edson Alvarez from Ajax. The Hammers have been linked with a move for Manchester United’s Harry Maguire, with several reports indicating they have agreed on a deal worth around 30 million pounds for the centre-back.