Frederik Alves Ibsen has all the tools to shine in the Premier League with West Ham United, Silkeborg’s sporting director Jesper Stuker told the club’s official website.
After weeks of speculation, and despite alleged interest from Leeds and Torino, one of the worst-kept secrets in football is now public knowledge.
It always felt a matter of time before Alves was unveiled by West Ham and, on Tuesday afternoon, the Hammers finally announced the signing of the 6ft 2ins Danish U21 international.
The rangy centre-back has signed a contract until 2024, with manager David Moyes hailing the ‘potential‘ of a youngster snapped up for a bargain fee of just over £1 million.
Whether Alves can make the step up from Danish football to the rigours of the Premier League, however, remains to be seen.
“It is a significant trade in the club’s recent history and another testament to the quality of our work,” Silkeborg director Stuker explained.
“Alves was not at the front of the queue for a senior contract in SIF, but we could see that there was something in him. He got the chance, and he has seized it.
“Frederik has shown that he can take significant steps in his development when he is promoted to a higher level. He has to do the same at West Ham, and he can.
“He has the tools to do it.”
Alves, who has played less than 50 senior league games in his short career, is likely to play U23 football at West Ham before aiming to challenge the in-form Angelo Ogbonna and Fabian Balbuena for a first-team role.
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