West Ham United chief David Gold has stated that new signing Alvaro Arbeloa can have a major impact at the London club.
The former Liverpool and Real Madrid defender was added to Slaven Bilic’s squad on transfer deadline day in a shrewd acquisition.
The Hammers have lacked competitive options at right-back over the last six months and as such the veteran Spaniard will provide relief in the problem position.
Arbeloa is being tipped to have a major impact at the London Stadium, both in helping younger players progress and in featuring for the first team on the pitch.
“Alvaro brings with him a wealth of experience and I am sure someone like Sam Byram will relish the chance to learn from one of the best right backs in recent years,” Gold told the club’s official website.
“I can remember when we were in charge of Birmingham doing a similar kind of deal when we signed Steven Carr.
“Steven turned out to be a fantastic signing and was my player of the season. There is absolutely no reason why Alvaro cannot do the same.”
Arbeloa has plenty of international experience and has forged a career playing in the Champions League.
It looks like the Spaniard will be in direct competition with Byram for a starting berth in Bilic’s side, with every potential that he can be a first-team regular in the side for the rest of the season after penning a one-year deal.
