Mexican midfielder Edson Alvarez signed for Premier League side West Ham from Dutch champions Ajax on Thursday to replace new transfer Declan Rice.
Ajax announced that Alvarez’s initial operating budget will exceed €38 million ($41.9 million). He signed a five-year contract.
“It’s a very sentimental period in my career,” the 25-year-old said. “Joining a club like West Ham is a dream for me and my family.”
Rice left West Ham last month for another London club, Arsenal, who finished second in the Premier League last season.
Alvarez, a two-time Eredivisie champion with Ajax, will join the club in the Europa League after winning the conference league.
West Ham manager David Moyes said: “The midfield was an area we wanted to strengthen this summer. “And Edson complements the other options we have in that space.”
“He is a player with international experience who has won titles at both club level and national team in his career,” he added.
West Ham could also be eyeing Southampton midfielder James Ward-Prowse and Manchester United centre-back Harry Maguire.
Alvarez will be the second Mexican footballer to appear in the Premier League this season. Another is striker Raul Mexico, who left Wolverhampton and signed for Fulham.
The American-Mexican native Alvarez joined Ajax in 2019 and has established himself as one of the best midfielders in the Eredivisie. He has scored 13 goals and provided six assists in 147 appearances for Ajax, including two league and cup titles in 2021.