West Ham United are delighted to announce the signing of Montenegro attacking midfielder Sead Haksabanovic.
The exciting 18-year-old joins the Hammers on a five-year contract for an undisclosed fee from Swedish club Halmstads BK, where he became the second-youngest player in Allsvenskan league history in April 2015.
Blessed with searing pace, outstanding technical ability and vision and an eye for goal, Haksabanovic has already made 70 first-team appearances and made his senior international debut in May.
Now, the Sweden-born player will bring his wide range of talents to the Hammers, London Stadium and the Premier League.
“I'm really happy to be here - it's a dream come true,” said Haksabanovic, who becomes the third former Halmstads player to join the Hammers after Sweden stars Niclas Alexandersson and Fredrik Ljungberg.
“West Ham is a big club and it is a nice feeling to have signed. The move happened quite fast - we heard that they wanted me, so I was interested to hear the plan for me and when I did I was very pleased.
"I am an attacking player, I like to dribble and shoot, but I work hard for the team. I am really looking forward to getting started, I have watched quite a few West Ham games in the Premier League and I can see that they have some great players and great fans.
"Now I just want to get used to being with the team and then hopefully play some games at some point next season."
Haksabanovic was born in the small village of Hyltebruk 35 miles north east of Halmstad, joining the club at the age of six in 2006.
Nine years later, he became HBK’s youngest-ever player when he debuted at IFK Norrkoping in the Allsvenskan on 9 April 2015, aged just 15 years, eleven months and six days.
Halmstad were relegated in 2015, but Haksabanovic’s eight goals and seven assists in 30 appearances saw them promoted from the Superettan at the first attempt.
Back in the top flight, the teenager has continued to impress this season, starting all 18 Allsvenskan fixtures and scoring four goals, despite playing for a team which has won just two league matches.
Internationally, Haksabanovic featured for Sweden at U17 and U19 level before switching his allegiance to Montengero – the country of his father’s birth – earlier this year.
A senior debut arrived on 10 June in Podgorica, when he played the final six minutes of his nation’s 4-1 FIFA World Cup qualifying win over Armenia – a victory which kept them second in Group E.
Everyone at West Ham United would like to welcome Sead to London Stadium and wish him the best of luck as he embarks on a new career in Claret and Blue.