Friday, September 01, 2006
IT'S OFFICIAL: Argentines join Hammers
Carlos "Carlito" Tevez and Javier Mascherano joined West Ham United on a permanent basis for undisclosed fees at about 5pm London time last night.
In what is surely the biggest transfer coup of the season and probably for many years, the Irons have snatched two very highly rated 22-year-old Argentines from under the noses of Manchester United, Arsenal, and Chelsea.
Time will tell if there's something shady going on but the fact remains that West Ham have become a real force to be reckoned with, with one of the strongest squads in the League.
The Club said: "West Ham United are delighted to announce the double signing of Argentinian World Cup stars Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano from Brazilian club Corinthians. The pair have been signed for an undisclosed fee and put pen-to-paper on permanent contracts with the club this afternoon. All other aspects of the transfers will remain confidential and undisclosed. The transfers represent a massive coup for the Hammers, who have beaten off some of Europe's biggest clubs to secure the services of the duo."
This has become a critical moment for the club, which may see the Hammers become one of the biggest clubs in Europe in coming years and equally may trigger another financial downfall. Time will tell if Brown and Pardew have made the right decision but for now West Ham fans will love seeing these two awesome players plying their trade at Upton Park.
Whether the players will walk straight into the squad remains to be seen but it is likely both of them to play as substitutes for the first couple of matches and then on a performance basis from then on.
Both players are available for the next match, against Aston Villa, but will first play in London at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium for Argentina's friendly against Brazil.
In what is surely the biggest transfer coup of the season and probably for many years, the Irons have snatched two very highly rated 22-year-old Argentines from under the noses of Manchester United, Arsenal, and Chelsea.
Time will tell if there's something shady going on but the fact remains that West Ham have become a real force to be reckoned with, with one of the strongest squads in the League.
The Club said: "West Ham United are delighted to announce the double signing of Argentinian World Cup stars Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano from Brazilian club Corinthians. The pair have been signed for an undisclosed fee and put pen-to-paper on permanent contracts with the club this afternoon. All other aspects of the transfers will remain confidential and undisclosed. The transfers represent a massive coup for the Hammers, who have beaten off some of Europe's biggest clubs to secure the services of the duo."
This has become a critical moment for the club, which may see the Hammers become one of the biggest clubs in Europe in coming years and equally may trigger another financial downfall. Time will tell if Brown and Pardew have made the right decision but for now West Ham fans will love seeing these two awesome players plying their trade at Upton Park.
Whether the players will walk straight into the squad remains to be seen but it is likely both of them to play as substitutes for the first couple of matches and then on a performance basis from then on.
Both players are available for the next match, against Aston Villa, but will first play in London at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium for Argentina's friendly against Brazil.
Posted by whubris at 6:22 am
norven munky said...
Permanent deals...hmmm
Don't get carried away G....
"have become a real force to be reckoned with, with one of the strongest squads in the League"
"may see the Hammers become one of the biggest clubs in Europe in coming years"
Both of those statements are just a tad OTT...
Make no mistake this is a huge day in the history of WHU, but that permanent deal may be a 12 month permanent deal and there is serious doubt if we can afford them longer term..lets enjoy it for the rest of the season and not go thinking we are a potential European superteam...I just hope they both wanna be at UP.
norven munky said...
and won't Palermo be shitting themselves this morning :) Can I vote again in the poll...
Dave said...
Haha! Yeah I'm very sceptical and I'm nervous about this MSI takeover thing. Let's enjoy it for the time being anyway.
whubris said...
Geeze you're a sad sack Norven. I stand by my comments - this is an important time for the club and an opportunity for us to really build, but could also end badly.
You only need to look at last season, then this season, and compare the squads. I wasn't claiming that these transfers have suddenly made us a top 4 side from nothing. We were already a force to be reckoned with, up to a point, last season - these signings, and the others (Bowyer, Paintsil, Cole, and less recently Ashton) will only improve on that. We haven't lost anyone of real impact. I don't think you can argue that West Ham have a very strong squad now, with potentially four first choice strikers, six first choice midfielders, and five first choice defenders (I'm including Collins on that). That's a helluva squad. Maybe not UCL level yet but it could be a start.
What I was getting at is that this is a crucial point in our history. It could be the start of a great era, yeah, but it could also be a massive mistake. But even if they're only on a 12 month deal then it will encourage good players to stay with us or sign with us and they may renew.
I have a suspicion that we've actually paid a big whack of money for them - possibly with the bank's money - and that it's above board. Corinthians are in financial trouble. The players want to get in the shop window in a good league. Chelsea don't need the players. Manchester United won't have much kitty left after the Carrick fiasco. Arsenal - well, maybe, but Wenger may not have wanted or been able to afford them both. If WHU offered a good but not extravagant amount for them, particularly with appearance based clauses that other clubs may not have been able to offer, then maybe it doesn't look so dodgy. Of course, I could well be proved wrong, but for now I'm blowing bubbles...
Dave said...
Or financed by the Reo-Coker to Man United move that could still go through in the next couple of hours??? Can't wait for that window to slam shut now!
whubris said...
True also Dave. They probably have massive sell-on clauses too. If they do well, Corinthians could get more money out of the sell-on deal plus whatever we paid them plus any performance bonuses (trophies?), than they might have with a straight transfer to Arsenal, who don't typically pay a lot of money for this kind of player.
said...
How the hell am I suppose to do any work today.
Bloody West Ham. Bloody Alan Pardew.
Brown Out.
A new era from a new era has dawned.
Dave said...
Terence Brown says that the arrival of Argentinian World Cup stars Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano signify a momentous day in the history of West Ham United Football Club.
The Hammers Chairman has presided over some major transfers during his time at the Upton Park helm, but none quite as high profile as today's double signing, and he admits that the Club will now be in a position to step up to the next level.
"It is a momentous day for the football club," he says. "It is without doubt the biggest deal in our history and one that we are all very excited about.
"I must give a mention to Paul Aldridge and Scott Duxbury, who worked through the night to ensure that the transfers went through. I am very grateful for their hard work behind the scenes.
"The sheer quality of the two players we have signed makes it a very exciting deal, and these are not players coming to the end of their careers - they are young players who are on their way up. They are also great lads - both have shown a keen interest in the Club and knew all about our success last season.
"Javier even asked for the number six shirt at one point during the negotiations, as he knew it was the number that Bobby Moore had worn for us all those years ago!
"I am looking forward to the contribution that both players will provide, and I am sure our supporters are just as excited. It's wonderful that the fans have something like this to celebrate after the difficult times that they have experienced in recent years, and I hope they enjoy watching the talent that will be on show.
"We are now in a position to take the next step up as a Football Club, and these signings will put us in the spotlight on a worldwide scale. I'm sure we can all look forward to some good times ahead." "
beggers said...
Seems I'm not the only one having a surreal moment! In a bit of a daze about the whole thing really.
Don't know what the deal is and I don't care, 'cause I'm gonna enjoy every minute of this while it lasts.
WEST HAM TILL I DIE.....
beggers said...
Had to post again! Can't believe it!
Two of the best players on the planet have signed for us!
We are on top of the football world today, everyone is talking about us.
Savour this moment. In a lifetime of supporting this club, these moments are rare. So today my friends puff out your chests and be happy 'cause this is truly a momentous day for the club and us.
Have a read of some of the WH web pages, the lift this has given the club and supporters is incredible!
BROWN IN!!!
whubris said...
ESPN will be showing Brazil vs West Ham/Argentina All-Stars at 1am on Monday morning!
Bigmac said...
TRANFER OF THE YEAR THE BEST PORTUGUESE PLAYER has completed his free transfer move from Benfica to Chelsea , his name his BIGMAC . See it here.
said...
Who cares about the behind the scenes details. Having the right contacts and making deals is all part of modern football and these signings are what we have sorely lacked. Look at what signing Berkamp did for Arsenal all those years ago. Look at what it started. You need to have the balls to make the next step and it's about feckin time we did this.
East, East, East London.
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norven munky said...Permanent deals...hmmm
Don't get carried away G....
"have become a real force to be reckoned with, with one of the strongest squads in the League"
"may see the Hammers become one of the biggest clubs in Europe in coming years"
Both of those statements are just a tad OTT...
Make no mistake this is a huge day in the history of WHU, but that permanent deal may be a 12 month permanent deal and there is serious doubt if we can afford them longer term..lets enjoy it for the rest of the season and not go thinking we are a potential European superteam...I just hope they both wanna be at UP.
norven munky said...and won't Palermo be shitting themselves this morning :) Can I vote again in the poll...
Dave said...Haha! Yeah I'm very sceptical and I'm nervous about this MSI takeover thing. Let's enjoy it for the time being anyway.
whubris said...Geeze you're a sad sack Norven. I stand by my comments - this is an important time for the club and an opportunity for us to really build, but could also end badly.
You only need to look at last season, then this season, and compare the squads. I wasn't claiming that these transfers have suddenly made us a top 4 side from nothing. We were already a force to be reckoned with, up to a point, last season - these signings, and the others (Bowyer, Paintsil, Cole, and less recently Ashton) will only improve on that. We haven't lost anyone of real impact. I don't think you can argue that West Ham have a very strong squad now, with potentially four first choice strikers, six first choice midfielders, and five first choice defenders (I'm including Collins on that). That's a helluva squad. Maybe not UCL level yet but it could be a start.
What I was getting at is that this is a crucial point in our history. It could be the start of a great era, yeah, but it could also be a massive mistake. But even if they're only on a 12 month deal then it will encourage good players to stay with us or sign with us and they may renew.
I have a suspicion that we've actually paid a big whack of money for them - possibly with the bank's money - and that it's above board. Corinthians are in financial trouble. The players want to get in the shop window in a good league. Chelsea don't need the players. Manchester United won't have much kitty left after the Carrick fiasco. Arsenal - well, maybe, but Wenger may not have wanted or been able to afford them both. If WHU offered a good but not extravagant amount for them, particularly with appearance based clauses that other clubs may not have been able to offer, then maybe it doesn't look so dodgy. Of course, I could well be proved wrong, but for now I'm blowing bubbles...
Dave said...Or financed by the Reo-Coker to Man United move that could still go through in the next couple of hours??? Can't wait for that window to slam shut now!
whubris said...True also Dave. They probably have massive sell-on clauses too. If they do well, Corinthians could get more money out of the sell-on deal plus whatever we paid them plus any performance bonuses (trophies?), than they might have with a straight transfer to Arsenal, who don't typically pay a lot of money for this kind of player.
said...How the hell am I suppose to do any work today.
Bloody West Ham. Bloody Alan Pardew.
Brown Out.
A new era from a new era has dawned.
Dave said...Terence Brown says that the arrival of Argentinian World Cup stars Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano signify a momentous day in the history of West Ham United Football Club.
The Hammers Chairman has presided over some major transfers during his time at the Upton Park helm, but none quite as high profile as today's double signing, and he admits that the Club will now be in a position to step up to the next level.
"It is a momentous day for the football club," he says. "It is without doubt the biggest deal in our history and one that we are all very excited about.
"I must give a mention to Paul Aldridge and Scott Duxbury, who worked through the night to ensure that the transfers went through. I am very grateful for their hard work behind the scenes.
"The sheer quality of the two players we have signed makes it a very exciting deal, and these are not players coming to the end of their careers - they are young players who are on their way up. They are also great lads - both have shown a keen interest in the Club and knew all about our success last season.
"Javier even asked for the number six shirt at one point during the negotiations, as he knew it was the number that Bobby Moore had worn for us all those years ago!
"I am looking forward to the contribution that both players will provide, and I am sure our supporters are just as excited. It's wonderful that the fans have something like this to celebrate after the difficult times that they have experienced in recent years, and I hope they enjoy watching the talent that will be on show.
"We are now in a position to take the next step up as a Football Club, and these signings will put us in the spotlight on a worldwide scale. I'm sure we can all look forward to some good times ahead." "
beggers said...Seems I'm not the only one having a surreal moment! In a bit of a daze about the whole thing really.
Don't know what the deal is and I don't care, 'cause I'm gonna enjoy every minute of this while it lasts.
WEST HAM TILL I DIE.....
beggers said...Had to post again! Can't believe it!
Two of the best players on the planet have signed for us!
We are on top of the football world today, everyone is talking about us.
Savour this moment. In a lifetime of supporting this club, these moments are rare. So today my friends puff out your chests and be happy 'cause this is truly a momentous day for the club and us.
Have a read of some of the WH web pages, the lift this has given the club and supporters is incredible!
BROWN IN!!!
whubris said...ESPN will be showing Brazil vs West Ham/Argentina All-Stars at 1am on Monday morning!
Bigmac said...TRANFER OF THE YEAR THE BEST PORTUGUESE PLAYER has completed his free transfer move from Benfica to Chelsea , his name his BIGMAC . See it here.
said...Who cares about the behind the scenes details. Having the right contacts and making deals is all part of modern football and these signings are what we have sorely lacked. Look at what signing Berkamp did for Arsenal all those years ago. Look at what it started. You need to have the balls to make the next step and it's about feckin time we did this.
East, East, East London.
