David Moyes attempts to explain why he signed Jordan Hugill

Follow us on Google Discover

West Ham United have offloaded Jordan Hugill to QPR.

Ex-West Ham United boss David Moyes has told The Mirror that he signed Jordan Hugill simply to cover for Andre Ayew and Diafra Sakho – but felt there would be long-term gain too.

The Hammers appointed Moyes as Slaven Bilic’s successor back in November 2017, charging him with the task of keeping the club out of relegation trouble.

Despite being an unpopular appointment having gone down with Sunderland just months earlier, Moyes succeeded and kept West Ham in the Premier League.

He didn’t land the job beyond the end of the season as Manuel Pellegrini was brought in, but one part of his reign has become a problem for West Ham.

Moyes oversaw just three signings at West Ham; Joao Mario on loan, Patrice Evra on a short-term contract and the £9million capture of Preston North End striker Jordan Hugill (LEP).

Hugill had impressed in the Championship with Preston, where Moyes is a hero to this day, and West Ham pounced to sign him – before giving him just three Premier League appearances.

He spent last season out on loan at Middlesbrough, and has just been sent on loan to Queens Park Rangers, with the Hammer struggling to offload him permanently.

Hugill clearly has no long-term future at West Ham, leaving many to wonder why he was signed in the first place – and just days after Hugill joined QPR, Moyes has explained.

The Scot wanted to sign Hugill as cover for Andre Ayew and Diafra Sakho after their respective moves to Swansea City and Rennes, but seemingly hoped there would be a long-term gain with Hugill too – which really hasn’t materialised.

“Our plan was to go in and work with the players we had and get them through the season,” said Moyes. “We brought in one centre-forward, Jordan Hugill, to cover Andre Ayew and Diafra Sakho, who had gone [in the January window]. We had to find a way of winning quickly and making sure we weren’t going to be in difficulty. But also understanding that as well as a short-term picture, you were always hoping there was something long-term as well,” he added.