Premier League: West Ham sign Lucas Perez

West Ham United continue to strengthen their squad ahead of the new season, the Hammers have announced that Arsenal forward Lucas Perez has signed a three-year contract with them on transfer deadline day. The 29-year-old Spaniard is the eighth signing of the summer for new West Ham United boss Manuel Pellegrini. Lucas Perez had joined Arsenal in the summer of 2016 for 17 million pounds from Deportivo La Coruna, but failed to impress at the Emirates Stadium. He spent last season back on loan at Deportivo La Coruna and scored 7 goals in 34 appearances in all competitions. Perez said: "I'm very happy to be here at such an historic club. I'm very excited, as West Ham are giving me the chance to stay in the Premier League and I'm very happy to be part of this new project. West Ham have great fans and play in an amazing stadium, so to sign here brings me great joy. I'm very motivated." Perez was surplus to requirements at Arsenal as new manager Unai Emery left him out of his squad for the last three friendly matches of the summer. Lucas scored 7 goals in 21 appearances in all competitions for the Gunners. West Ham director of football Mario Husillos said: "We welcome Lucas to West Ham United. He is a very experienced player that Manuel and I both know well from Spain. He has great technical quality, and can play as both the main striker or the second striker in a deeper role. He scores goals, but can also create them and link well with the midfielders.His style is different from the other strikers we have available to us, and that gives the manager more options for our attacking play. Lucas also has experience of the Premier League with Arsenal, and is familiar with life here in London, which of course means that he will take less time to adapt and be ready." West Ham United had already completed seven transfers before deadline day: Felipe Anderson from Lazio, Andriy Yarmolenko from Borussia Dortmund, Jack Wilshere on a free transfer, Ryan Fredericks from Fulham, Lukasz Fabianski from Swansea, Fabian Balbuena from Corinthians, Issa Diop from Toulouse and Xande Silva from Vitoria de Guimaraes. West Ham United are 10/1 at Bet365 to secure a place in the Premier League top six next season.