Jordan Hugill completed a deadline-day move to West Ham.
David Moyes has claimed in his London Evening Standard column that he fought off competition to land Jordan Hugill from another Premier League club, before comparing him to West Ham United striker Andy Carroll.
The 25-year-old has put pen to paper on a four-and-a-half-year deal with the Hammers, keeping him at the London Stadium until the summer of 2022 in a deal believed to be worth £8million.
The Hammers finally completed a second January signing in the form of Hugill, after Moyes had already brought in Euro 2016 winner Joao Mario from Euro giants Inter Milan earlier in the month.
Moyes reckons he nabbed Hugill’s signature before another Premier League club but stated that Hugill is different enough to crocked West Ham teammate Carroll, 29, who is currently sidelined with a long-term injury.
“In Jordan Hugill, we know his capabilities because I’ve watched him regularly. He has been wanted by a lot of clubs and I felt we need a bigger, more robust striker to add to our squad, particularly with the injury to Andy Carroll,” Moyes said.
“Is he similar to Andy in his style of play? Not exactly. Jordan is a more bustling centre-forward, a real team player who has good energy levels and impressive physical statistics. He’s a handful and if you are a central defender, you wouldn’t enjoy playing against him.
“I knew on the final day of the window there was another Premier League club in for him, so it was pleasing that we were able to win the race for his signature.”
Hugill’s arrival comes at a time where new additions are desperately needed in the final third, as Moyes has seen the likes of Marko Arnautovic, Manuel Lanzini and Carroll suffer injuries while Andre Ayew and Diafra Sakho moved on.
Hugill, who will wear the number 12 shirt, could be in line to start for the Hammers on Saturday, as they travel to the south coast to face Chris Hughton’s Brighton.
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