LONDON - West Ham United manager Manuel Pellegrini has continued his overhaul of the squad by signing forward Andriy Yarmolenko on a four-year contract from German top division side Borussia Dortmund, the Premier League club announced on Wednesday.
Yarmolenko's arrival follows that of midfielder Jack Wilshere, goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski, defenders Issa Diop and Ryan Fredericks as new coach Pellegrini looks to improve upon a disappointing 13th-place finish last season.
"We are very happy to welcome Andriy," West Ham director of football Mario Husillos said on the club's website. "When we had the opportunity to sign him, we did not hesitate, because he really is the kind of player that we were looking for."
The London side did not disclose the fee for the 28-year-old, although British media reports said it was around 17.5 million pounds ($23.2 million). The 28-year-old enjoyed a stellar spell at Ukraine's Dynamo Kiev where he scored 137 goals in all competitions since his making his senior debut in May 2008.
He is the second highest goalscorer for the Ukranian national team after Andriy Shevchenko. West Ham begin the new league campaign with a difficult away trip to Liverpool on Aug. 12.
Meanwhile, Dortmund have completed the signing of Morocco international Achraf Hakimi from Real Madrid on a two-year loan deal, the Bundesliga club announced on Wednesday. An attacking full back, Hakimi started all three of Morocco's games at the World Cup in Russia before they were eliminated in the group stage.
Friends, the life of the footballer threw me another challenge, which I decided to accept. I was very pleased to play for Borussia Dortmund. I express my gratitude to the club, the team, the fantastic fans. Thank you, Dortmund! I will never forget the time spent here! pic.twitter.com/E8HGVipVsW
— Andriy Yarmolenko (@Yarmolenko_9) July 11, 2018
The 19-year-old Real Madrid academy graduate made nine league appearances for the Spanish club under Zinedine Zidane last season, as well as playing five times in the King's Cup and twice in the Champions League.
"Achraf Hakimi is a young, very dynamic full-back who has played at the very highest level with Real Madrid and the Morocco national team," Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc said in a statement.
Hakimi is new manager Lucien Favre's latest acquisition in a busy close season following the arrival of goalkeepers Marwin Hitz and Eric Oelschlagel, midfielders Thomas Delaney and Marius Wolf and defender Abdou Diallo.He will join the Dortmund squad during the U.S. pre-season tour between July 18-26.
Southampton have signed England under-21 international goalkeeper Angus Gunn from Manchester City on a five-year contract, the Premier League clubs said. The 22-year-old, a product of City's youth system, spent last season on loan at second-tier side Norwich City.
"We believe he has all the credentials to become a full international goalkeeper for England in the future and that's exactly the sort of talent we want to have here at Southampton," manager Mark Hughes said on the club's website. "There was a lot of interest from other teams in the Premier League, so for Angus to choose Southampton as the best option for him is another positive indication of the work the club is doing and what is being built here."
Gunn is Southampton's third signing in the transfer window after Scotland midfielder Stuart Armstrong and Mohamed Elyounoussi from Swiss club FC Basel.