---
title: "Fonte targets top eight finish with West Ham"
canonical: "https://readwestham.com/2017/01/21/fonte-targets-top-eight-finish-west-ham/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Ryan Darby"
section: "West Ham News"
published: "2017-01-21T11:20:52Z"
modified: "2017-01-21T11:20:52Z"
---

# Fonte targets top eight finish with West Ham

Jose Fonte became the latest high-profile departure from Southampton as he completed his move to West Ham on Friday night.

Fonte has been speaking to the club following his move and admits family reasons played a part in his decision to swap the south coast for London.

Speaking on the club’s official website, as reported by the [Evening Standard,](https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/jose-fonte-says-family-connections-with-west-ham-and-london-played-part-in-8m-move-from-southampton-a3445126.html) the 33-year-old explained his move.

> I signed for West Ham because they are a great club and a very big club. They have a lot of fans and I have known for a number of years how passionate they are.

> The manager was also a very big influence. I thought that he really wanted me and that he sold me the project and the ambition of the club. I also have part of my family living in London and they are big West Ham fans. It just made sense for me at this stage to join West Ham.

The former Southampton captain joins the Hammers for £8 million after a successful summer with Portugal that saw his native country win the Euros by beating France 1-0.

> Twitter: UEFA Euro 2016 winner signed ![✅](https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/2/svg/2705.svg)\
> Goodnight Hammers ![⚒](https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/2/svg/2692.svg)![⚒](https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/2/svg/2692.svg)![⚒](https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/2/svg/2692.svg)\
> \#FridayFeeling https://t.co/vi4mZffebn (@WestHamUtd)

Fonte has been ever present in the Southampton side from their journey from England’s third tier all the way to the Premier League.

> It is a new challenge and a new beginning and I am looking forward to it.

> With the way that West Ham is going we can only look to be challenging in the top eight.

> West Ham are a massive club and it is an exciting challenge and it should be for everyone. We all need to get together and start working.

The Portuguese international has been impressive and had often been linked with big money moves away from St Mary’s.

He stayed loyal to the Saints but has struggled this season under Claude Puel.

The defender did not sign in time to be available for this weekend’s clash with Middlesbrough.