WEST HAM have completed the signing of Czech midfielder Alex Kral on loan with the view to a £17million permanent deal in the summer.
Kral, 23, has been snapped up to provide valuable midfield options to Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek ahead of the dual challenge of Premier League and Europa League football.
The Hammers have agreed the temporary deal with Spartak Moscow.
And the move will become permanent if appearance and performance targets are met.
He becomes the third Czech player at the London Stadium, following the successful captures of Soucek and Vladimir Coufal.
Kral plays as a deep midfielder and has already made 20 international appearances, including four during Euro 2020.
Manager David Moyes has kept his eye on the 6ft 2in midfielder for some time and is pleased to have secured his services.
He said: “He will provide good competition in the centre of midfield.
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“He is another young, talented player who we feel has a big potential and will be capable of adapting to the demands of the Premier League.
“We’ve brought him in on loan initially and, hopefully, over the course of the season he will make a valuable contribution, particularly with our busier schedule of fixtures.
“Alex is another established international player with the Czech Republic, and we hope he has similar characteristics and hunger to that of Tomas and Vladimir.”
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West Ham announced their deal for Kral with a video introducing him alongside fellow Czechs Soucek and Coufal while on international duty.
Indeed, Soucek claims to have played the role of ‘agent’ by bringing another of his countrymen to east London.
The midfield giant tweeted: “Sports agent Soucek continues. Welcome to our club!”
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