West Ham United Signs Álvaro Arbeloa

The West Ham United has announced the signing of former Spanish international Álvaro Arbeloa for one season. Arbeloa, 33, joins the team from East London for free after his contract with Real Madrid, where he played for the past seven seasons, expired.

"West Ham United is delighted to announce the signing of World Cup champion and two-time European champion Álvaro Arbeloa," said the United in a statement published on their website.

Arbeloa, who played in the Premier League between 2007 and 2009 with Liverpool, will wear the number '5' jersey for the Hammers. The veteran defender arrives to reinforce the right side and compete for a spot with the usual right-back, young Englishman Sam Byram.

"I'm very happy to be here, to join a great club and a great league," said the Salamanca-born defender. "I'm delighted to return to England and I think this is a great opportunity for me; I'm looking forward to playing with the team," he added.

Arbeloa is the twelfth signing for the team coached by Slaven Bilic for the historic 2016/2017 season, in which the Hammers have left Upton Park, their home for the past 112 years, to move to the modern Olympic Stadium in London.

In addition to the defender, the United has also signed Simone Zaza (Juventus), Sofiane Feghouli (Valencia), André Ayew (Swansea), Arthur Masuaku (Olympiacos), Edimilson Fernandes (Sion), Havard Nordtveit (Borussia Monchengladbach), Gokhan Töre (Besiktas), Toni Martínez (Valencia), Ashley Fletcher (Manchester United), Domingos Quina (Benfica) and Jonathan Calleri (Deportivo Maldonado).

"The stadium is incredible, fantastic. I hope to see it full, with our fans supporting us. I'm happy to be here. For me, this is a great opportunity to return to England and I feel that I'm at a great club, with fantastic players and a top-level coach," said Arbeloa.

"Slaven wants me to start training as quickly as possible. I have spoken with Luka Modric and Mateo Kovacic (Croatian internationals from Real Madrid) and they have told me great things about the coach, so I'm looking forward to working under his orders. I hope to learn a lot from him," he added.

Arbeloa is the seventh Spaniard to wear the 'Hammers' jersey, following Kepa Blanco, Diego Tristán, Manuel Almunia, Adrián San Miguel, Pedro Obiang and Toni Martínez - the latter three are still part of the club's first team.