LJUNGBERG ... happy Hammer
FREDDIE LJUNGBERG has completed a £3.5million move from
Arsenal to West Ham. The Sweden midfielder agreed terms on a
£60,000-a-week deal, having been told by Gunners boss Arsene Wenger
he no longer figures in his first-team plans.
Ljungberg said he left Arsenal because of the repercussions from
Thierry Henrys move to Barcelona. He said: Two years ago when I
signed my last contract we talked a lot about the future and about
bringing great players to the club. Despite building the new
stadium we wanted to stay top in England and do well in Europe. For
me that didnt really happen. I stayed because I wanted to stay
loyal to Arsenal. But when Henry left this summer it felt like the
end for me unfortunately. I felt like all the unbeaten players had
left. I wanted to be loyal but I felt like it was the right
time.
Ljungberg also insisted he was delighted to be joining Eggert
Magnusson's Upton Park revolution. He added: Im coming here
because I want to build a great team. And why I want to join is
because of Magnusson. He wants to bring them forward to be top of
the country. Hes willing to go to the transfer market to buy top
players and mix them with youth players. West Ham have a great
academy. He wants to help take the club up and take them to the
top in England. Its a big challenge for me.
Ljungberg had also been linked with Manchester City, Portsmouth and
Italian club Fiorentina. But he was not keen on leaving London and
West Ham boss Alan Curbishley swooped after losing £6m Julien
Faubert with a serious Achilles injury last week.
The Swede joins new arrivals Faubert, Scott Parker, Craig Bellamy
and Richard Wright at Upton Park this summer. Curbs said: He
brings a few things - Champions League experience, captain of
Sweden, hes versatile. Theres a hunger there. He wants to come
and push West Ham on and be partly responsible for that. Hes
joining another terrific club and thats the way hes got to see
it. He understands the passion of the club and the passion of the
fans and Im sure hell be a big hit here.
