From the Boardroom - David Gold


I am thrilled to be welcoming Dimitri Payet to West Ham United.


I think this is evidence of our intent and the ambition we have for the Club. Dimitri is a signing that will excite the fans and add even more strength to our midfield.


He is a serious international who has come to us ahead of other big clubs. He will be part of the future with us moving into the new Stadium and it won't be long before the top five are looking over their shoulders. It sends out that message to everyone.


It is great for us because David Sullivan and the team at West Ham United have worked so hard to pursue this target when other clubs were challenging us for his signature.


Obviously the manager was an important consideration for the player. West Ham United are a team on the up and he wants to be a part of that and achieve success.


It is exciting for him to come into the Premier League and for us this is the culmination of five years rebuilding the football club and this is another piece of the foundation.


I know that Dimitri was one of the most creative players in European football last season and that shows the quality of the player.


One of the hardest things is to be top of that list when it comes to assists and delivering the ball to the strikers.


I can promise the fans that the likes of Andy Carroll, Diafra Sakho, Enner Valencia and Mauro Zarate will be thrilled as well with the signing and the prospect of them getting even better service next season.


Let's now see what we can do as a team and how much we can achieve. What an exciting time for the Club and I hope there is more to come!