Many West Ham fans had been hoping for Charlie Cresswell as the deadline day answer, but instead the club have announced a more temporary solution to the exit of Nayef Aguerd.
In what felt like a splash-and-dash, last-ditch move, the Hammers confirmed the season-long loan signing of Brazilian defender Igor Julio from Brighton & Hove Albion. No option or obligation to buy has been mentioned.
The transfer has had far-reaching implications. Igor had been on the verge of joining Crystal Palace on loan and was even heading to Selhurst Park to sign before a last-minute change of heart saw him choose West Ham. That decision caused a domino effect which meant Palace captain Marc Guéhi did not complete his £35m move to Liverpool.
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Igor signs on the dotted line for West Ham
The left-footed Brazilian will provide cover for Aguerd, who earlier in the day sealed a near-£20m move to Marseille.
Speaking to the club’s official site, Igor said:
“I am really happy to be here at West Ham United. It is a big club, a historic club, with fantastic support and a special identity. I saw this in Prague during the Europa Conference League final two years ago, and I feel very proud to now be representing these colours.
The project here is very exciting—there are many good players at the Club and I know there is a very positive environment in the dressing room that it will be great to be a part of.
I am ready for the challenge and looking forward to giving everything I can to help the team and the Club.”