10:15am Wednesday 24th June 2009
WEST Ham United have beaten off stiff competition to sign Chile international striker Luis Jimenez from Italian champions Internazionale.
Jimenez, the club's first summer signing, joins the Hammers on a season-long loan which could see the South American star joining the east Londoners on a permanent basis.
The 25-year-old forward, nicknamed 'El Mago' - The Wizard, is due to have a medical when he arrives in England next month and will official join West Ham on Wednesday, July 1.
He said: "I am very happy, very excited and very determined to show what I can do. I am a player who loves to play football, to be in a team that keeps the ball, to create opportunities and also score goals.
"I can't promise anything but I am going to do everything possible to do a good job for the club. I know West Ham are a fantastic club who have had a lot of great players.
"I had options to join other clubs but I watched West Ham's last game of the season and I liked it a lot. I preferred this option because I really admire the way they try to play.
"Gianfranco Zola was one of the things that drew me to West Ham - I can identify with the type of football he wants to play."
Jimenez joined Inter on loan from Lazio at the start of the 2007/08 season and enjoyed a first successful campaign in Milan, scoring three goals in 15 Serie A appearances and also netting in a 3-0 UEFA Champions League victory against Fenerbache in November 2007.
His move to Inter became permanent a year later, with the Nerazzurri claiming the Serie A title in his first campaign.
Jimenez made his full debut for Chile against Peru on April 28, 2004, going on to represent his country in the Copa America that year in Peru.
To date he has scored twice in 20 matches for his country.
West Ham's CEO Scott Duxbury hailed West Ham's first summer signing.
"I am pleased we have been able to secure Luis's services. Many clubs were after him so we had to work quickly. We were determined to get the deal done as Gianfranco sees him as a player that can add much to our attack next season," he said.
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