French international center-back Kurt Zouma, credited with around 100 matches with Chelsea since 2014, has signed a four-year contract with West Ham, the east London club announced on Saturday.
The amount of the transfer, not communicated by the Hammers, is estimated at 29.8 million pounds (about 34.8 million euros) by the specialized press.
At 26, the former player of AS Saint-Etienne arrives at West Ham in the skin of a potential holder.
"He has always been our first choice, and I am very happy that he is now our player," coach David Moyes said in a statement posted on the club's website.
Welcome to West Ham United, @KurtZouma!
✍️ pic.twitter.com/X7eguIRzTi
- West Ham United (@WestHam) August 28, 2021
Tuchel gradually put him on the bench
West Ham are currently provisional Premier League leaders after three matchdays but have already conceded five goals.
Zouma was more of a complementary defender at Chelsea, where he arrived in 2014. He was notably the subject of a loan to Stoke City and Everton between 2017 and 2019.
He made 36 appearances last season at Chelsea, but only made it to the Champions League until the round of 16, before being gradually benched after Thomas Tuchel took the lead. of the Blues, at the beginning of the year.
International since 2015, Zouma was in the group that took part in the Euro last June. The defender with 8 selections is expected Monday at Clairefontaine for the next gathering of the France team, as part of the qualifications for the 2022 World Cup.