West Ham sign midfielder Pedro Obiang

West Ham United have stated they are ready for the taking the next step towards becoming a club that competes for European football and playing fancy football on the way to doing so.  Appointing Slaven Bilic was the first step and he and the club have started the playing style transition with their first signing Pedro Obiang.

"Perico" to his friends has moved from Sampdoria on a four year deal.  The spanish under 17, 19 and 21 player had been highly thought of in his youth.  At 16 he moved from Atletico Madrid to Sampdoria where he played 132 times.

Described as a box to box player the 23 year old attempted 153 tackles last season the 5th highest in Serie A.  Considering the high tackle rate and the defensive requirements of the italian league, its nice to here Obiang has never been sent off.  His pass percentage rate was very high 82% and in 2013 Inside Spanish Football rated him one of the top 15 spanish youngsters.

Meanwhile the Hammers are reported to be in talks with Marseille over their 28 year old playmaker Dimitri Payet.  Available for what appears a bargain £6M fee the sticking point is his reported £80k a week wage demands.  With Yohan Cabaye also reported offered to West Ham and rumours they are looking to ship Andy Carroll out suggest we will see a very different Hammers side in the next 24 months.

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