Luis Guilherme has shared what head coach Julen Lopetegui told him about West Ham’s big plans in his first words as a Hammer.
After weeks of speculation and the threat of the deal collapsing, West Ham have now officially confirmed the signing of Luis Guilherme.
West Ham have handed the talented Brazilian teenager a five-year contract after agreeing what is believed to be a deal totalling £25m with Palmeiras.
The 18-year-old midfield sensation says he is realising a dream by getting a move to the Premier League having been glued to English top flight action growing up in Brazil.
West Ham first moved for Guilherme just over two weeks ago and a deal looked set to be done quickly and efficiently.
But when it hit reported turbulence, technical director Tim Steidten personally flew back to Brazil to get it over the line.
West Ham’s new era built on Samba style
Guilherme becomes the first signing of the Julen Lopetegui era at the London Stadium.
And it should be the first of many this summer with the Hammers in the market for another six or seven signings.
Although Steidten is leading recruitment, he has been working alongside Lopetegui to identify agreeable targets.
The Spaniard gave the move his full backing.
And Hammers fans will be seriously excited to hear the conversation between the new boss and his first signing.
Guilherme has revealed what Lopetegui told him about West Ham’s big plans.
Guilherme on what Lopetegui told him about big plans
One of the big reasons David Moyes is no longer with the club is his tactics and defensive style of football.
Lopetegui has a clear directive to improve the brand of football West Ham play and to succeed where Moyes failed – by combining style with substance.
It seems Lopetegui certainly intends to make West Ham an exciting team if Guilherme’s first words as a West Ham player are anything to go by.
Lopetegui told Guilherme he is ambitious and wants Guilherme to help him win titles with West Ham.
“Ambition (was what impressed me most from conversation with Lopetegui),” Guilherme told West Ham TV.
“From the beginning a project focused on winning. That was crucial for my decision. The project is about winning titles (trophies). It’s important because I love to win titles, who doesn’t?
‘Lopetegui wants me to help him win silverware’
“I’m very happy to be signing with this club and hope to contribute as much as possible,” Guilherme told the club’s official website.
“If things go well, we have a beautiful journey ahead.
“The head coach and I already had a conversation. He showed me his project and I believe I’ll learn a lot from him. He’s coached at the national level in Spain and managed big clubs.
“The Premier League is the best league in the world. I believe I’ll improve a lot here with the entire staff at West Ham, which is crucial for my development. Growing up, whenever I had the chance, I watched English football. Seeing how it is and now being able to play here is an incredible feeling.
“Since I was eleven, I had this dream, and now it’s becoming a reality. I’m very happy about it and grateful to West Ham. Let’s go for it!”
Go for it indeed. It certainly sounds like West Ham are going for it this summer and that Lopetegui will be going for it on the pitch too. Samba style.
That will be music to the ears of West Ham fans who, frankly, grew bored of the way the team set up under Moyes.
Guilherme is yet to be given a squad number.
But nothing should be read into that because these will be decided when it becomes clear what is available with so many ins and outs at the club.
You can check out West Ham’s excellent announcement video for Guilherme below.
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