West Ham complete the signing of Pablo Zabaleta
In a transfer window where Slaven Bilic has emphasised strengthening the starting eleven, West Ham have completed their first signing of the summer.
Manchester City defender Pablo Zabaleta has put pen-to-paper on a two-year contract with the Hammers.
The veteran right-back was released by City at the end of the season following the expiry of his contract and was eager to continue his playing career in the Premier League.
Zabaleta signed for City in August 2008 and made 333 appearances for the club over the last nine years, playing a major role in City winning two Premier League titles, two League Cups and an FA Cup during his tenure with the club.
The 32-year-old has been there and done it all in English football and would add some leadership and experience to the side which did look frail at times this past season.
West Ham have faith in Sam Byram long-term but they wanted to bring in an experience defender to compete with him at right-back in the immediate future.
They tried to do that last summer with the arrival of Alvaro Arbeloa but the Spaniard made just three Premier League appearances and was released earlier this week.
Zabaleta is a significant upgrade at the position and will offer West Ham another quality option in defence.