West Ham United are delighted to confirm the transfer of Croatia striker Nikica Jelavic from Hull City
West Ham United are delighted to confirm the transfer of Croatia striker Nikica Jelavic from Hull City on a two-year contract, with the option of a further two, for an undisclosed fee.
The 30-year-old frontman completed his move after successfully passing a medical at Spire Roding Hospital – the Club’s Official Private Hospital – and will link up with his former national team boss Slaven Bilic at the Boleyn Ground.
Jelavic has scored goals in the Barclays Premier League for Everton and Hull City over the last three years and adds to a striking unit which also features Diafra Sakho, Andy Carroll, Enner Valencia and Mauro Zarate.
The 30-year-old frontman completed his move after successfully passing a medical at Spire Roding Hospital – the Club’s Official Private Hospital – and will link up with his former national team boss Slaven Bilic at the Boleyn Ground.
Jelavic has scored goals in the Barclays Premier League for Everton and Hull City over the last three years and adds to a striking unit which also features Diafra Sakho, Andy Carroll, Enner Valencia and Mauro Zarate.
He told whufc.com exclusively: “I am very excited to be signing for West Ham United, especially as it is a big Club and I didn’t know until a couple of days ago that I would have the opportunity to come here.
“Of course it is always a target to play in the Premier League, so when I found out that West Ham wanted me there was no doubt that I wanted to come here.
“I’ve played for Slaven before for the Croatia national team and he is a great manager and a great man. I am really happy and delighted to be working with him and all his staff again.
“I’ll be joining a team that’s on a high after the result on Saturday."
Born in Capljina on the Bosnia-Croatia border, Jelavic’s professional career began under the management of Bilic at Hajduk Split, but he moved across Europe to sign for Belgian side Zulte Waregem at the age of 21.
One season in Belgium preceded a two-year spell in Austria with Rapid Wien, where he found his goal touch to net 27 times in 71 league outings.
The United Kingdom and Glasgow Rangers was the 6’2 frontman’s next stop, and he was yet more prolific during his time at Ibrox, scoring 19 goals in his first season and 17 in the first half of 2011/12, earning a January 2012 move to Everton.
Nine goals in 13 Premier League games that season was a fine way to start at Goodison Park and he added a further eight in his second season with the Toffees.
January 3014 brought his move to Hull, but eight goals last term couldn’t prevent Steve Bruce’s side from suffering relegation to the Championship.
Internationally, Jelavic won 36 caps for his country and travelled to UEFA Euro 2012 and the 2014 FIFA World Cup, but he called time on his Croatia career late last year.
“Of course it is always a target to play in the Premier League, so when I found out that West Ham wanted me there was no doubt that I wanted to come here.
“I’ve played for Slaven before for the Croatia national team and he is a great manager and a great man. I am really happy and delighted to be working with him and all his staff again.
“I’ll be joining a team that’s on a high after the result on Saturday."
Born in Capljina on the Bosnia-Croatia border, Jelavic’s professional career began under the management of Bilic at Hajduk Split, but he moved across Europe to sign for Belgian side Zulte Waregem at the age of 21.
One season in Belgium preceded a two-year spell in Austria with Rapid Wien, where he found his goal touch to net 27 times in 71 league outings.
The United Kingdom and Glasgow Rangers was the 6’2 frontman’s next stop, and he was yet more prolific during his time at Ibrox, scoring 19 goals in his first season and 17 in the first half of 2011/12, earning a January 2012 move to Everton.
Nine goals in 13 Premier League games that season was a fine way to start at Goodison Park and he added a further eight in his second season with the Toffees.
January 3014 brought his move to Hull, but eight goals last term couldn’t prevent Steve Bruce’s side from suffering relegation to the Championship.
Internationally, Jelavic won 36 caps for his country and travelled to UEFA Euro 2012 and the 2014 FIFA World Cup, but he called time on his Croatia career late last year.