West Ham boss Slaven Bilic has hailed the signer of former Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez as a ‘great’ move for the club, and revealed he tried to sign the player back in the summer of 2015.
Hernandez joined The Hammers earlier this week after completing a £16 million switch from Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen. The Mexico international has spent three seasons away from the Premier League after leaving what was then Louis Van Gaal’s Manchester United in 2015.
Bilic, who explained his attempt to sign ‘Chicharito’ directly after his Old Trafford departure, says he is glad to have finally got his man.
Speaking on whufc.com, he said: “I am happy that the deal is complete as it’s a great signing for us, I spoke to him a couple of seasons ago when I joined West Ham, when he was at Manchester United and they wanted to sell him.
“I wanted him but then he opted for Leverkusen, but we have had a good relationship since then. So when the opportunity comes now after the season and I found out he could be available, then I called him and he was happy straight away.
“From two years ago until now we had the same conversation, so it helped, of course. There were a few other clubs interested but we are delighted he opted for us.”
Bilic also went on to reveal the qualities he feels Hernandez can bring to club, and believes the former United star can help the Hammers have a strong season.
“He brings energy, makes movement up front and he brings running behind the defence, he brings pace, he brings quality and he brings goals and that’s it, basically! He is proven in the Premier League. It’s very important that we signed him.”
