West Ham complete £8m signing of Jose Fonte as Southampton captain finally gets transfer wish

33-year-old Fonte completes move to West Ham after handing in a transfer request at St Mary's

Jose Fonte has completed an £8m move from Southampton to West Ham (Getty)

West Ham have completed the signing of Southampton defender Jose Fonte for a fee of £8m.

The 33-year-old, who won Euro 2016 with Portugal last summer, has put pen to paper on a two-and-half-year deal, with the option of a further year.

Fonte told West Ham's official website: "I signed for West Ham because they are a great club and a very big club. They have a lot of fans and I have known for a number of years how passionate they are."

Fonte made 288 appearances in his seven-year spell at St Mary's and was the last remaining member of the Saints side that rose from League One to the Premier League.

The centre-back was linked with a number of clubs following Portugal's triumph in France but has opted to move to London Stadium and admitted Hammers boss Slaven Bilic played a big part in his decision.

He added: "The manager was also a very big influence. I thought that he really wanted me and that he sold me the project and the ambition of the club.

"I also have part of my family living in London and they are big West Ham fans. It just made sense for me at this stage to join West Ham.

"It is a new challenge and a new beginning and I am looking forward to it.

"With the way that West Ham is going we can only look to be challenging in the top eight.

Jose Fonte has signed a two-and-a-half year deal with West Ham (Getty)

"West Ham are a massive club and it is an exciting challenge and it should be for everyone. We all need to get together and start working."

Fonte underwent a medical on Friday before agreeing personal terms (Getty)

The Hammers confirmed Fonte will not be available for Saturday's trip to Middlesbrough.

PA