MAX KILMAN is delighted to be reunited with Julen Lopetegui following his £40m move from Wolves.
The 27-year-old defender signed a seven-year contract at the London Stadium and was one of Lopetegui’s main targets, having been named captain by the Spaniard at Molineux.
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West Ham tried to sign Kilman last summer and, as first revealed by SunSport, quickly revived interest after appointing the former Wolves manager.
Wolves will pay around £4m to National League side Maidenhead United, from whom they signed Kilman for £40,000 in 2018 due to a 10 per cent sell-on clause.
Kilman said: “It’s an incredible feeling to be a West Ham United player.
“As soon as I became aware of the Club’s interest, it was an opportunity I wanted to take advantage of, so I couldn’t be happier to be here.
“I’ve really enjoyed working with Julen during his time at Wolves – he’s a first-class coach and someone I’ve learned a lot from, and I’m confident I’ll continue to improve as a player under his management here.”
“West Ham is a great club and I feel this is the natural next step in my career.
“Playing in front of a passionate crowd, with 62,500 fans filling the London Stadium every two weeks, is something I am extremely excited about.
“After speaking at length with Julen and Tim Steidten, I was extremely encouraged about the club’s ambition and plans for the future. They want to make some noise here at West Ham and with a new player coming in, that’s an amazing thing to hear.
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“I’m looking forward to getting to work and preparing for an exciting season ahead.”
West Ham are keen to reinforce their back line after a poor season at the back last season – conceding a club record 74 Premier League goals.
The Hammers could still sign Nice’s Jean-Clair Todibo after having a £25m bid rejected earlier this week.
A deal for Manchester United, however, would likely require other players to leave to raise funds.
Technical director Steitden said: “We’re delighted to have secured the signing of Max – he was one of our key targets in the central defensive area this transfer window, so we couldn’t be happier to have completed the deal to bring him in. to the West. United Ham.
“This is a serious and remarkable moment for West Ham United – the signing of an established and proven English Premier League centre-back in the peak years of his career.
“He has a lot of great qualities as a defender. He is a strong and powerful central defender who possesses the leadership qualities that are so important in that area of the pitch.
“Julen and I have spoken at length about the type of character we want to bring to West Ham, and Max fits the bill.
“Max’s arrival shows the Board’s ambition to bring great players to the football club.
“I’m sure West Ham fans are as excited as the rest of us about this signing.”
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