West Ham have confirmed the £8m signing of Alphonse Areola on a permanent basis.
The Frenchman made 17 appearances across all competitions last season, starting 11 of the club’s 12 Europa League games in a game that took them to the semi-final stage.
Fulham, where Areola spent a season between 2019 and 2020, were also keen on a move for the 2018 World Cup winner, while Newcastle United were also linked.
The 29-year-old has signed a five-year deal in east London with the option of another season and becomes West Ham’s second signing of the summer following the addition of Rennes defender Nayef Aguerd.
The club are still waiting on Jesse Lingard to make a decision on his future following a formal offer, with the England international set to become a free agent this week when his Manchester United contract comes to an end.
Moyes’ squad began a pre-season training camp in St. Andrews in Scotland, though the players involved in international duty earlier this month - including the likes of Declan Rice, Jarrod Bowen and new signing Aguerd - will not return until the back end of next week.
“I feel good, I feel great, I’m happy to sign and happy to stay here permanently and I can’t wait to start to train and to do the job,” said Areola.
“The main thing is that I felt the love of the supporters last season. Something for me that is really important is to feel that I’m loved. I know that I have to do my job and to do everything to make them happy, and obviously also the team, my teammates, the staff and Xavi Valero as well. The vibe of last season was great, so I just wanted to do everything to stay here.
“I feel comfortable, I feel like when I’m signing in a club, I want to feel that it’s like my second family. Obviously, we’re here every day and we are sharing lots of times together, so I have to feel comfortable with everyone and feel them comfortable with me as well, so I just feel comfortable here.”
