Hammers Confirm Aliadiere Signing

DESPITE recent Press speculation claiming that Jeremie Aliadiere had already signed for West Ham United this transfer has only been concluded this morning, and the Club are now delighted to confirm the arrival of the former France Under-21 international on a season-long loan from Arsenal.

The 22-year-old French forward began the season on loan at Celtic, but decided that the opportunity of Premier League football at Upton Park was too good to turn down.

Alan Pardew was delighted to have secured the services of the young French star.

He said: "The signing of Jeremie is another big coup for the Club. He is an exciting young talent from Arsenal and along with David Bellion will bring some French flair to our squad.

"His abilities and skill will certainly fit in well with the playing style here at West Ham United and I'm confident he'll settle in to the squad.

"Jeremie had several other offers from Premiership clubs, so we are delighted that he chose West Ham United ahead of the rest and he's sure to be an excellent addition to the squad." 

Aliadiere graduated from the famed Clairefontaine Academy in France to join the Gunners in 1999. He was soon on the glory trial at Highbury, breaking Michael Owen's scoring record as he fired Arsenal to victory in the 2001 FA Youth Cup.

His first-team debut came the following season in a 2-0 win over Grimsby Town in the League Cup, but it was the 2003/04 title-winning season when the French starlet really made his mark.

Having made his first Premier League start against Liverpool at Anfield in October 2003, Jeremie went on to set up Arsenal's fifth goal in the 5-1 Champions League rout of Inter Milan at the San Siro.

The France Under-21 international already has an impressive collection of winners' medals, including a Premier League Championship medal in 2004 and two Community Shield winners' medals from 2002 and 2004.

Last season Jeremie was blighted by a knee injury, but he battled hard to regain fitness and was rewarded by playing his part in the 3-0 FA Cup semi-final victory over Blackburn Rovers as Arsenal went on to lift the 2005 FA Cup.