Alvaro Arbeloa joined West Ham United on a free on transfer deadline day.
West Ham United co-chairman David Sullivan has explained on the club’s official website why Alvaro Arbeloa was signed in the summer transfer window.
The Hammers recruited Arbeloa on a free on transfer deadline day.
The 33-year-old defender was a free agent following his release from Spanish giants Real Madrid at the end of last season.
West Ham co-chairman Sullivan has revealed that the club signed Arbeloa in order to compete with and help right-back Sam Byram.
Sullivan has also made it clear that Michail Antonio will play as a winger from now on, having featured as a right-back on occasions this season.
“The decision has now been made that Michail Antonio will play as a winger after originally starting the season as a right back,” Sullivan wrote on West Ham’s official website.
“As a result we had to move out a winger, getting a £1.5m loan fee plus wages covered on Enner Valencia, and have brought in a full back to compete with and help Sam Byram.
“We explored all avenues and managed to secure the signature of one of the more experienced full backs in the world and one with Premier League experience.
“He is ideally a few weeks away from playing in a game as he has not trained with a team since May and needs more game time.”
Arbeloa is 33 years of age and is past his prime, but he has a lot of experience and is going to be an asset for West Ham.
The former Spain international full-back knows the Premier League inside out, having featured for Liverpool in the English top flight.
Byram is only 22 years of age and is still developing as a footballer. There have been injury problems as well with the former Leeds United youngster, and Arbeloa’s arrival is certainly going to help him.
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