West Ham United have secured the signing of Spanish winger Adama Traoré from Fulham, a strategic acquisition designed to bolster their fight for Premier League survival under manager Nuno Espirito Santo.
The 30-year-old’s arrival marks a reunion with Nuno, who previously coached him during their successful tenure at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The deal, valued at an initial £1 million with potential add-ons raising the total to £2 million, sees Traoré commit to the club until the end of the season with an option for a further year.
Upon finalising the move, Traoré expressed his enthusiasm for joining the club. “I’m so happy to be here, so happy to help the team the maximum I can and show my quality,” he said.
He also revealed a longstanding connection with the club, adding, “I’ve been seeing West Ham for a long time. It’s a massive club, a massive fanbase. I’ve been watching since I was young, when I watched films about West Ham. I know about the fans and how much passion they have”.
Manager Nuno Espirito Santo welcomed the player’s familiar qualities to the squad. “He is someone I obviously know well from our time together at Wolves, and I am looking forward to working with him again,” Nuno stated.
“Adama is someone who knows the Premier League very well, and his unique qualities as a player will help us between now and the end of the season. He will give us a different option in attacking areas”.
The transfer concluded after extended negotiations between the two London clubs. Initially, Fulham had reportedly demanded a fee in the region of £7 million for the winger, but West Ham held firm and ultimately secured a significant discount, bringing the final price down to around £2 million.
Traoré, who had found playing time limited at Fulham this season with just one Premier League start, is poised to make his debut imminently and could feature in West Ham’s upcoming fixture against Chelsea.
Traoré’s role is viewed as multifaceted within Nuno’s strategy. While his pace and strength offer a new dimension in attack, club sources suggest the manager values him as a tactical asset to relieve pressure on a defence that has struggled this campaign.
The belief is that Traoré’s exceptional ability to carry the ball over long distances can help transition play rapidly, allowing the team to escape defensive pressure and push higher up the pitch, particularly in the latter stages of matches.
This signing is part of a busy January window for West Ham, who are locked in a tense relegation battle.
The club currently sits 18th in the Premier League table with 20 points, five points from safety, despite securing vital back-to-back wins in their last two outings.
Traoré’s experience, including 262 Premier League appearances and eight caps for Spain, will be crucial as the Hammers seek to complete their escape in the remaining 15 matches of the season.