The Sweden captain has signed a four-year deal at Upton Park after the clubs agreed a fee which could rise to £3m.West Ham Sign Ljungberg And End Dyer Speculation
The Sweden captain has signed a four-year deal at Upton Park after the clubs agreed a fee which could rise to £3m.Ljungberg, 30, had been the Gunners' longest-serving player after costing Arsène Wenger's side £3m in 1998, playing 325 times and scoring 72 goals.
Ljungberg: "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 didn't 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 (from Arsenal's 'invincibles' of 2003/04) had left. I wanted to be loyal but I felt like it was the right time.
"I'm 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. He's 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. It's a big challenge for me.
"It's a big thing for and I feel it in my heart a little bit. When I spoke to the boss, he wanted me to stay. But at the same time, I feel it had to be something very, very special for me to leave. I want to go forward and, with the people I have around me, I think it's going to be really good."