Carlton Cole reacts as West Ham United confirm transfer for Lucas Paqueta
By Isabel Crofts.
Former West Ham striker Carlton Cole has reacted to the club’s announcement of their new signing Lucas Paqueta on social media.
The London side confirmed the transfer of Paqueta on August 29, after he joined the side from Olympique Lyonnais on a five-year deal with the option to extend for a further year, ensuring his time in East London is secure until 2027 at least.
The deal cost around £51.2 million – a record transfer fee for the Irons. It has been met with excitement from the fans, who highly anticipated the Brazilian joining ever since reports broke.
West Ham shared a video on their Instagram of the 25-year-old, with him saying: “Hello, I am Lucas Paqueta. I am very happy to be here, come on you, Irons”
To which former forward Cole replied: “Great signing, good luck Lucas Paqueta. Recruitment team worked hard on this one. Top stuff.”
Paqueta to kickstart West Ham’s season.
David Moyes’ side have offered a dismal start to the 2022/2023 Premier League campaign; losing their opening three games and sitting 16th in the table.
They did, however, pick up their first win of the season against Aston Villa on Sunday, August 28 thanks to a late goal from Pablo Fornals in the 74th minute.
The addition of a proven, experienced and dominant midfielder like Paqueta could give the side a boost in form and squad morale.
The new arrival will also help the Hammers balance squad depth and fitness ahead of their Europa Conference League campaign kicking off on September 8.
West Ham face two difficult challenges in the coming days with two London derbies on the horizon; Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea.
Hopefully, we can see him in that West Ham United shirt tomorrow – fingers crossed, with this the boost we needed to really kick on again this season.