Gianfranco Zola has strengthened his attack by completing the signing of former Villareal forward Guillermo Franco on a free transfer. Franco played for Villareal from 2006-2009 became a free agent after the Yellow Submarines refused to offer him a new contract. Franco has signed a one-year deal with the London club and becomes the first Mexican to play for West Ham United.
Franco will immediately go into the West Ham sqaud and complement Carlton Cole, Alexandre Diamanti and Luis Jimenez in attack. West Ham have been facing problems in attack with Dean Ashton contemplating retirement and Kieron Dyer having injury troubles. The addition of the Argentina born Mexican international will add to Zola’s options.
Franco was visibly delighted to join Zola’s army –
“I am really happy to sign for West Ham. It was my dream to come to the Premier League and I am proud to play for a club that has so much history. This is a very important stage in my career and I hope to score lots of goals for the club this season and then play at the World Cup.
“This is an important team with great players and a great manager. I know that the club are very ambitious and want to do well. I want to do my best to make that happen and I am excited about the challenge.
“The main motivation was to play in the Premier League. I love English football and I love the Premier League. I had the possibility of joining Estudiantes and two Spanish clubs, but it was the Premier League that drew me here. I can fulfil my desire with West Ham and I am very happy to be here.”
Franco has scored four times in his last six international games for Mexico including one in Mexico’s 3-0 win away at Costa Rica. He had been linked with a move to South American champions Estudiantes as well as two Spanish clubs, but West Ham sealed the deal with two weeks of intense negotiations with him and his agent.
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