West Ham sign Ecuador striker Enner Valencia subject to work permit

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jul/17/west-ham-sign-enner-valencia-work-permit

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West Ham have signed the Pachuca striker Enner Valencia on a five-year contract, with the Ecuador international awaiting a work permit to complete the deal.

The 25-year-old scored all three of Ecuador’s goals at the World Cup, attracting attention from across Europe as a result.

“West Ham United are delighted to announce that exciting Ecuador international forward Enner Valencia will become the club’s fifth summer signing, subject to a successful work permit hearing,” a statement on the West Ham website read.

“Valencia, who impressed hugely in scoring three goals for his country at the World Cup finals in Brazil, will join West Ham on a five-year contract for an undisclosed fee.”

It is believed that Valencia, who started his career with Emelec before moving to the Mexican club Pachuca, moves to West Ham for a deal close to the club-record £15m paid for Andy Carroll last summer.

After completing his move from Liverpool Carroll struggled for fitness last season and goalscoring was a problem for Sam Allardyce’s side.

With Valencia, who also scored in Ecuador’s World Cup warm-up draw with England, on board Allardyce will be hoping the West Ham’s reliance on Carroll will be eased.

Allardyce was assured of his position only in May but has brought in five new faces as he looks to improve on last season’s 13th-placed finish.

Once the work permit regulations are dealt with, Valencia will join the striker Mauro Zárate, the Senegal midfielder Cheikhou Kouyaté, the full-back Aaron Cresswell and the England youth international Diego Poyet in completing moves to Upton Park.