West Ham United have confirmed the arrival of Dutch attacker Crysencio Summerville from Leeds United for a reported £25m.
The 22-year-old has penned a five-year contract at the London Stadium until 2029, with the option to extend for another season, and becomes the Irons' fourth signing of the summer window.
Summerville follows Luis Guilherme, Wes Foderingham and Max Kilman to Julen Lopetegui's West Ham, who have fended off a couple of Premier League big boys to secure his signature.
Liverpool were thought to have been keeping their eye on Summerville's situation amid speculation surrounding the futures of Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz, while Chelsea were also linked with an approach.
However, neither side firmed up their interest in the former Feyenoord starlet, who starred last season with 21 goals and 10 assists from 49 games in all competitions, as Leeds lost the Championship playoff final to Southampton.
Summerville: 'I followed my heart to West Ham'
Crysencio is Claret and Blue ⚒️ pic.twitter.com/29tFahJRSj
— West Ham United (@WestHam) August 3, 2024
"I'm very happy, and I can't wait to get started. It's the perfect next step for my career. West Ham United is a huge Club, with lots of ambition and great players, so I'm really excited to be here and to get going," Summerville told the official West Ham website.
"I always try to follow my heart, and I had the feeling that this is the best place for me to continue developing as a player, and to push my potential as much as possible. There is so much history here, and the team have done so well in the Premier League and in Europe over recent years.
"I spoke to the Head Coach, and he convinced me that I could make an impact, and help achieve success in the new season. I think I'm here to help write more history here, and I'd love to help West Ham get back into Europe. I want to contribute lots of goals and assists, and I'm so excited to meet my teammates and the fans, and get out there now."
Leeds poached Summerville from the Feyenoord academy ranks in the summer of 2020, paying just £1.3m to capture the Dutch winger, who leaves with a record of 25 goals and 12 assists in 89 games for the Whites.
Summerville made 34 top-flight appearances for the Leeds, scoring four times in four successive games in late 2022, including a last-gasp winner in a thrilling 4-3 triumph over Bournemouth.
"We're delighted to bring Crysencio to West Ham United. We've been monitoring his progress for a little while now and we couldn't be happier to have completed the deal to sign him," West Ham sporting director Tim Steidten said.
© Imago
"We feel Crysencio will enhance our existing depth in the attacking third. He is an exciting player with blistering pace, agile movement and an abundance of creativity off the wing. He has already proved himself in English football, having been a key player for Leeds United in both the Premier League and Championship over the last few years.
"This signing is another statement of intent from the Club. With the support of the Board, we continue to work efficiently to evolve our squad ahead of the beginning of the 2024/25 Premier League season.
"Adding young players with the pedigree of Crysencio will help us to reach our potential moving forwards. We are all confident that Crysencio has a bright future ahead and we look forward to seeing him continue to go from strength to strength in Claret and Blue."
Summerville first of three new West Ham signings?
After getting Summerville through the door, West Ham are expected to accelerate their efforts to bring two more players to the London Stadium, as a £27m deal has reportedly been agreed for Borussia Dortmund's Niclas Fullkrug.
The Irons are also believed to be in advanced talks over the signing of Argentina midfielder Guido Rodriguez, who became a free agent when his Real Betis contract expired at the end of the season.
Barcelona were reportedly working on a deal for the 2022 World Cup winner, but he has instead agreed a two-year deal with West Ham and is said to have travelled for his medical earlier on Saturday.
Ben Knapton
