Arnautovic signs for West Ham in record deal
Austria international Marko Arnautovic has usurped Andre Ayew as West Ham United's club-record signing after joining from Stoke City.
West Ham have signed Austria forward Marko Arnautovic from Premier League counterparts Stoke City for a club-record fee worth up to £25 million ($41 million).
The 28-year-old completed a five-year contract and is the east London club's third signing of the summer after the captures of England goalkeeper Joe Hart and Argentina full-back Pablo Zabaleta.
“It feels special to me to be a West Ham player,” Arnautovic, who has been capped 62 times for Austria, told the club's official website.
“Everyone knows that West Ham is a big club, with big history and I’m happy to be a part of it now. I can’t wait to get started.
“I played against West Ham at the old stadium – I didn’t play last year at the new stadium because I was suspended – but I came to the game and I can only say it is a massive club with a lot of fans.
“They are crazy for football and this is what I like. The club is still growing, getting better and better and that’s why I’m here.”
Arnautovic started his career at Dutch club Twente before being sent out on loan to Inter Milan, then under the guidance of Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho.
He was eventually picked up by Werder Bremen in 2010 and spent three seasons in the Bundesliga before being snapped up by Stoke City under Mark Hughes in 2013, the beginning of his career in the Premier League.