West Ham United is delighted to announce the signing of young Brazilian winger Luis Guilherme from Palmeiras on a five-year contract.
The 18-year-old will complete his transfer on Friday 14 June when the summer transfer window officially opens, subject to international clearance and a work permit being issued.
He is considered one of the most exciting prospects in South American football and, despite his tender years, has already made 40 senior appearances for Palmeiras, won the Brazilian Série A title, played in the Copa Libertadores and been capped by his country at Under-20 level.
A technically gifted attacking player blessed with searing pace and acceleration, elusive dribbling skills and a superb left foot, Luis Guilherme is a hugely promising talent who was identified as a priority target by Technical Director Tim Steidten and Head Coach Julen Lopetegui.
The teenager will link up with Lopetegui and his first team squad for pre-season training in early July, and is looking forward to showing what he can do in Claret and Blue.
“I’m very happy to be signing with West Ham United, a Club that trusted in my work,” said Luis Guilherme. “I also want to thank everyone at West Ham, particularly Tim and his team who came to Brazil, and not only talked with me, but also with my family.
“They presented the project, and both my family and I liked it. So, I'm very happy to be signing with this Club and hope to contribute as much as possible. If things go well, we have a beautiful journey ahead.
“The Head Coach and I already had a conversation. He showed me his project and I believe I’ll learn a lot from him. He’s coached at the national level in Spain and managed big clubs.
“The Premier League is the best league in the world. I believe I’ll improve a lot here with the entire staff at West Ham, which is crucial for my development.
“Growing up, whenever I had the chance, I watched English football. Seeing how it is and now being able to play here is an incredible feeling.
“Since I was eleven, I had this dream, and now it’s becoming a reality. I’m very happy about it and grateful to West Ham. Let’s go for it!”
Steidten expressed his delight at securing the signature of a player rated widely as one of the most promising young players in Brazil, and explained how the teenager will be supported as he adapts to life and football in a new country.
“We are really happy that Luis Guilherme is now a West Ham United player,” said Steidten. “He is a very exciting young talent who we have followed for some time, and once we became aware that he was available, Julen and I were determined to bring him to London.
“Luis has enjoyed a fantastic start to his professional career with Palmeiras – naturally a wide player but with the flexibility to play across other attacking positions, which is an important and valuable factor in the modern game.
“He is technically very gifted, but also has very good physical qualities - great pace, strength and stamina, and these are traits that will help him to adapt to the demands of the Premier League and English football.
“Luis is obviously still very young, but we have no doubt that he is ready to make an impact in the first team here. He is coming to a great environment, where he will be surrounded by other exciting young players and good people who will support him every step of the way.
“We will look after him, help him and his family to settle in and allow him time to adapt. But we are very excited about his immediate potential and are looking forward to seeing the progress he can make at West Ham United.
“This is a very important signing for us – we’ve worked hard across the Club, working closely with the Board, to secure Luis’s signature. We know how the tough the Premier League is, and we want a squad that is competitive next season, but also to find the balance of ensuring that we plan for the longer-term future. Exciting young players like Luis Guilherme will help us to reach those goals.”
Everyone at West Ham United would like to welcome Luis Guilherme and his family to east London and wish him every success for his career in Claret and Blue.
