New West Ham United signing Carlos Soler has revealed that his fellow countryman and Hammers hero Pablo Fornals helped convince him on a move to east London.
The 27-year-old midfielder joined the Hammers from Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain on a season-long loan on Friday, following a trophy-laden period in the French capital.
Having come through the ranks at hometown team Valencia, he made his senior debut with Valencia’s B team in the third-tier Segunda Division B in May 2015, when he was just 18. His La Liga bow followed against Real Sociedad on 10 December 2016 and he went on to play 226 games, with 36 goals and 31 assists, winning the Copa del Rey in 2019 with a 2-1 win over Barcelona.
Now, after completing his deadline day move, Soler says putting pen to paper was the culmination of a lifelong dream to sign for a Premier League, especially to be doing so in London with a Club like West Ham.
“It feels lovely," smiled Soler. "I’m very excited to play here this season in front of our fans. I have spoken with Julen [Lopetegui], and we are all very excited about this season.
“Yes, it always has been an ambition of mine to play in the Premier League. I have dreamed since I was a kid to play here, and West Ham are a big Club in the Premier League. I think it is the best league in the world. There are so many difficult teams to play against, and every match is very difficult to win, so we want to have a very good season.”
And Soler confirmed a conversation with cult hero Fornals helped him make his mind up to move to E20.
He said: “I’ve spoken with Pablo Fornals, and he has told me that this Club is one of the biggest in the Premier League, so let’s have a big season. He is an idol here and spent four-and-a-half seasons at West Ham. Hopefully, I can repeat his success.”
Soler’s excitement and sense of anticipation of working with Julen Lopetegui is palpable. The midfielder lined up against the new head coach’s former club Sevilla many a time at Valencia and is looking forward to being on the same team rather than having to face one of his well-organised sides.
“I’m so excited [to be working with Lopetegui]. I spoke with him two or three times before I arrived here, and I want to play for his team and West Ham United.
“He is a very good manager from Spain and did a great job at Sevilla, FC Porto, and was with the national team too. I think we can repeat this and have a good year.
“I think his teams are very organised, difficult to play against, and it is very hard to create opportunities against them. His teams are very well set up, attack well and at Sevilla he did a very good job.
“I think this year could be very special for the Hammers, and we are going to do what we have to do to make this Club even bigger. I think we can repeat this and have a good year.”
The Spain international, who becomes the Hammers’ ninth signing of an exciting transfer window, is happy to be part of an exciting project, has detailed his enduring hunger for success and how he wants to win silverware during his time in Claret and Blue.
He added: “I think the midfielders here have so much quality, but it’s not only the midfielders, but we also have a strong squad full of international players and quality.
“We want to play for the fans every week and improve this year. I hope that we can win a trophy here [this season].
“I am going to do everything for the fans, the Club, and will always give my best.”
