Mexico Star Edson Alvarez Confirmed As West Ham's First Summer Signing

West Ham United have completed a £35m deal to sign Mexico midfielder Edson Alvarez from Ajax. Alvarez has become the fourth Mexican player in West Ham history.

West Ham United completed a deal to sign Mexico midfielder Edson Alvarez from Ajax on Thursday.

The Hammers are expected to pay Ajax around £35 million for the 25-year-old.

Alvarez has become the fourth Mexican player in West Ham's 128-year history - following in the footsteps of Guillermo Franco, Pablo Barrera and Javier Hernandez.

The fourth Mexican to adorn the famous Claret & Blue 🇲🇽⚒️ pic.twitter.com/1b6SQu6545

— West Ham United (@WestHam) August 10, 2023

"I am very happy and very proud to be here," Alvarez told WHUFC.com, speaking in fluent English.

"Being here in London and seeing London Stadium, it's amazing. I can't wait to play here in front of the West Ham fans.

"It's a hugely sentimental moment for me in my career. To join a club like a West Ham is a dream for me and my family.

"The Premier League is a special league, the best league in the world and I think my style will suit it. I now have a responsibility to West Ham and the West Ham family and I will give absolutely everything for the shirt."

Alvarez has been capped 68 times by Mexico at senior international level and he played a key role in his country's triumphant campaign at the CONCACAF Gold Cup earlier this year.

Edson Alvarez pictured playing for Mexico in the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup final :: IMAGO/Agencia-MexSport/Cristian de Marchena

He had been an Ajax player since July 2019 when he moved to Europe from Club America in Mexico City.

Alvarez made 147 first-team appearances in four seasons for the Dutch side, winning two Eredivisie titles and one KNVB Cup.

Prior to Alvarez's arrival at the London Stadium, West Ham had been the only Premier League club not to sign a new first-team player this summer.

But the Hammers are now being tipped to complete deals to bring in Manchester United defender Harry Maguire and Southampton captain James Ward-Prowse in the coming days.