Franco's destiny

West Ham United have confirmed the signing of 32-year-old Mexican international Guillermo Franco.

The former Villareal striker has signed a one-year deal with the Hammers and could go straight into thw squad to face Liverpool at the Boleyn this weekend.

Talking to whufc.com, he said: "I am really happy to sign for West Ham. It was my dream to come to the Premier League and I am proud to play for a club that has so much history. This is a very important stage in my career and I hope to score lots of goals for the club this season and then play at the World Cup.

"This is an important team with great players and a great manager. I know that the club are very ambitious and want to do well. I want to do my best to make that happen and I am excited about the challenge.

"The main motivation was to play in the Premier League. I love English football and I love the Premier League. I had the possibility of joining Estudiantes and two Spanish clubs, but it was the Premier League that drew me here. I can fulfil my desire with West Ham and I am very happy to be here.

"I played here before with Villarreal and I have also played Champions League games here in England. I thought then that I would like to play here one day and maybe that match against West Ham meant that it was destiny that I would come here to play."