Arsenal lost its longest-serving player as its Swiss midfielder Fredrik Ljungberg snapped his nine-year tie with the Gunners to join West Ham for a four-year contract.
Ljungberg’s arrival ease the pressure on West Ham which was struggling with a depleted midfield after its new recruit Julien Faubert was ruled out for six months with a leg injury.
Leaving a club after spending nine long years there was not easy but Ljungberg said
I felt it was the right time to go, then this opportunity came up. I’m coming here because I want to help build a great team.
After somehow averting a relegation last year, West Ham have gone on a signing spree and have netted forward Craig Bellamy, midfielder Scott Parker and goalkeeper Richard Wright.
In contrast, the club has released captain Nigel Reo-Coker, while its striker Carlos Tevez is being lured into joining Manchester United.
