West Ham have finalised a deal to sign centre-half Konstantinos Mavropanos from Bundesliga outfit Stuttgart, making the defender their third capture of the summer after Edson Alvarez and James Ward-Prowse.
The Irons had been scouring the market for defensive reinforcements and following their failure to sign Harry Maguire from Manchester United, the Londoners have finally strengthened their backline with the arrival or Mavropanos.
In an official announcement, the 25-year-old said: ““I am really happy and excited to be here – and to be back in the Premier League with West Ham United.
“It’s an exciting time to be joining the Club after last season’s Conference League win – and I am really looking forward to the next step in my career. I can promise the fans I will give everything for them and the shirt.”
Full details of West Ham’s deal for Mavropanos
West Ham have agreed a deal for Konstantinos Mavropanos paying a fee believed to be in the region of £19m for the Greek international, though the exact figure remains undisclosed.
The former Arsenal man penned a five-year deal with the Irons potentially keeping him at the London Stadium until he turns 30.
Mavropanos spent three years in the capital with the Gunners between 2017 and 2020, though he failed to hold down a place in the first team, racking up just seven appearances for Arsenal before he was jettisoned.
The centre-back spent two seasons on loan with Stuttgart before joining the German side on a permanent basis last summer for around £3m.
The defender, who has been capped 19 times by Greece, will join a list of centre-back options at West Ham that already includes Kurt Zouma, Nayef Aguerd, Angelo Ogbonna and Thilo Kehrer.
Mavropanos is also adept at playing at right back and his versatility is likely one of the player’s aspects that appealed to David Moyes.
There were rumours that Mavropanos ran into some issues while undertaking his medical with West Ham, however, his arrival was confirmed shortly after, putting paid to the gossip.
I’m excited to return to the best league in the world and it’s a privilege to do so with @WestHam as a team with a rich history. I’d like to thank everyone at the club for their faith in me. I’m really looking forward to getting to work. #COYI ⚒🙌🏽 pic.twitter.com/oQHYxLvrhO
— Dinos Mavropanos (@DMavropanos) August 22, 2023
Moyes please with third capture of the summer
West Ham boss David Moyes expressed his enthusiasm about the signing of Mavropanos when he spoke to the club’s official website, saying: “I’m pleased to welcome Konstantinos to West Ham United.
“We’ve been looking to add to our centre-half options this summer, so it’s good we’ve been able to bring in an international defender of his ability. We’re really looking forward to integrating him into the group.”
After a slow start to the summer transfer window, West Ham have been picking up the speed of their recruitment more recently and the addition of Mavropanos takes their spending past the £80m mark.
West Ham have already brought Edson Alvarez to the club from Ajax, while their midfield options were bolstered further by the £30m signing of set-piece specialist James Ward-Prowse from Southampton.
Mavropanos, who will be the first-ever Greek player to represent West Ham, is currently laid low with a minor back complaint, so it could be a few weeks before Irons fans get to see him in action.
