CARLOS TEVEZ and Javier Mascherano joined West Ham in a
sensational double transfer and told SunSport: We cant wait to
take the Hammers to new heights.
The Argentina World Cup superstars, pictured yesterday in a lift at
the posh Docklands Marriott Hotel, signed permanent deals from
Brazilian side Corinthians.
Striker Tevez and midfielder Mascherano, both 22, turned down
Manchester United and Arsenal to join the Hammers.
Upton Park boss Alan Pardew said: Its a monumental day for us.
This deal will give us a real chance to compete with the very best
teams in the Premiership and in Europe.
Tevez said: I have been looking for a move to England and, despite
speculation about other clubs, West Ham came in with a more
suitable offer for Javier and I.
I am now looking forward to playing in England. Its a great
challenge and we are both aware of the great tradition behind the
West Ham colours.
Their arrival is the most stunning English club deal since
Tottenhams capture of Argentina stars Ossie Ardiles and Ricky
Villa after the 1978 World Cup.
It is understood West Ham paid only £1million to sign them for one
year. They are then available for a joint £30m if all parties
agree.
The players registrations are part-owned by Media Sports
Investment, who also own Corinthians.
MSI is headed by Iranian-born tycoon Kia Joorabchian who made an
unsuccessful £70m bid to buy the Hammers last year.
Super-agent Pini Zahavi and race horse owner Michael Tabor, a
lifelong Hammers fan, are also thought to be involved in the
deal.
If Joorabchian now decides to meet West Ham chairman Terence
Browns £130m asking price, he will have the final say on the
future of both players.
They put pen to paper at the Cumberland Hotel in Marble Arch at 5am
yesterday before joining the Argentina squad for Sundays friendly
clash with Brazil at Arsenals Emirates Stadium.
United boss Alex Ferguson is apparently fuming he was unable to
raise the £14m to sign Tevez permanently.
Tevez is nicknamed Apache after the tough Buenos Aires
neighbourhood Fuerte Apache in which he was raised.
He is scarred from his right ear to his chest after an accident
with boiling water as a kid.
Tevez was top scorer in Athens with eight as Argentina took Olympic
football gold in 2004.
He was also a scoring substitute when the Argies thrashed Serbia
& Montenegro 6-0 at the 2006 World Cup.
Tevez, Argentinas footballer of the year in 2003 and 2004, cost
Corinthians a South American club record £12m 20 months ago.
He has a fiery streak that will remind fans of Hammers legends
Billy Bonds, Julian Dicks and Paolo Di Canio.
Once the deal became public, West Ham were approached by Manchester
United and Arsenal over captain Nigel Reo-Coker.
