Javier Hernandez, better known by his nickname of Chicharito (translates to “little pea” in English), has left West Ham United for Sevilla FC. Mexico’s all time leading scorer joins the La Liga side on a deal worth about $10 million (or £8m) according to reports.
The 31-year-old former Manchester United and Bayer Leverkusen man signs a three year deal with his new club. Hernandez said that his close friend and national teammate Miguel Layun, who previously played for Sevilla, helped him decide on his next club.
?? Signing number 12! ??? Welcome to Sevilla, @CH14_!#WeareSevilla #ChicharitoSevillista
— Sevilla FC (@SevillaFC_ENG) September 2, 2019
“It’s a great opportunity. I’m very happy to be at this club,” Chicharito said.
“I spoke to Miguel Layun a lot. I have only heard positive things about Sevilla FC, when I came to visit I fell in love with the city and the club.”
The forward, strongly coveted by numerous Major League Soccer clubs due to the gigantic marketing potential he could bring to the league, joins the sixth club of his 13-year-professional career. It had been thought that he was in line to make the MLS move, like so many European stars around his age have in recent years, but alas not this time.
Maybe next time, as he’ll be 34 when this next contract expires. At West Ham, Chicharito had the same kind of “super sub” role that he had at United.
He was rarely in the first team for the London club, but still scored 17 times for the Irons across 63 appearances.
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