Bayern Munich linchpin sends message to West Ham United and Alvaro Arbeloa after the former Spain star signed for the club on deadline day.
West Ham manager Slaven Bilic
The Hammers brought in no fewer than 13 players over the summer as Slaven Bilic reshaped his squad.
Most of the club’s business had been done well ahead of the much-hyped transfer deadline day on Wednesday.
But with the sensitive issue of Bilic’s insistence on using Michail Antonio at right back still rumbling on Hammers co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold brought in one signing on deadline day in the shape of Spain’s World Cup winning defender Alvaro Arbeloa.
Alvaro Arbeloa
World Cup winner adds experience to problem position
The former Liverpool and Real Madrid right back has joined the East Londoners on a one-year deal with a view to providing the team and West Ham’s long term player for that position, Sam Byram, with some invaluable experience.
The move to bring in a 33-year-old has been met with mixed reaction from Hammers fans.
Real Madrid’s Alvaro Arbeloa is thrown into the air by team mates
However Arbeloa has always been a hugely popular figure with fans and teammates at his clubs.
Liverpool were very reluctant to let him leave and the send off he received from the players at Madrid summed up how his colleagues felt about him.
Spain’s Alvaro Arbeloa (L) and Xabi Alonso (R) celebrate winning the World Cup and kiss their medals
‘Congrats West Ham’
But Bayern Munich star Xabi Alonso, a former teammate of Arbeloa at both Liverpool and Real Madrid and their national side, has sent a message congratulating the club and the player on the move on Twitter.
“How well you are left Alvaro truffles! I want an of those crossed Hammers (poses),” Alonso said on Twitter.
“Very happy for you. Congrats West Ham United.”
West Ham’s Sam Byram prepares to take a throw in
Arbeloa priceless for Byram
While some fans thought the days of West Ham offering out of contract players one last pay day were gone, Arbeloa does bring a wealth of experience and ability to a problem position.
Byram has done well when he has played this season and is clearly the club’s long-term right back.
But having Arbeloa there to lean on for advice will be priceless for the former Leeds United man.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
