The Portuguese winger has joined on a season-long loan from Inter Milan.
Former West Ham United striker Tony Cottee has told Sky Sports news that it was smart business for the club to pick up Joao Mario on loan from Inter Milan.
The Portugal international winger became the Hammers first signing of the January transfer window when he joined on a deal until the end of the season on Friday.
Sky Sports reported earlier this week that the agreement would include a £26m option to buy.
Tony Cottee celebrates scoring a goal during his West Ham playing days, in 1994
Cottee has backed Mario to be a success but is glad that West Ham have not splashed the cash on him already as he feels such money would have increased the pressure on the 25-year-old.
“It’s a good signing for the club because it’s a loan signing,” Sky Sports quotes Cotte as saying.
“If they’d paid £26m I’d have said that was a lot of money for someone to go in during difficult circumstances because there’s a lot of injured players. There will be a lot of pressure on this lad.
“I’ve heard good reports about him. He’s a good footballer, which is what they need, but you never know how long these guys are going to take to settle.”
Mario failed to impress in his 43 games for Inter after joining from Sporting Lisbon for £35m – fee according to Sky Sports – in 2016, which suggests he possibly struggled under the burden of his price tag.
The Euro 2016 winner arrives at a time when David Moyes is missing Marko Arnautovic, Manuel Lanzini and Andy Carroll through injury, so the Hammers boss will hope that his new signing settles quickly.
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