West Ham sign Mexico winger Barrera

West Ham signed Mexico World Cup winger Pablo Barrera from Pumas UNAM for four million pounds (6.1 million dollars) on Friday.

Barrera agreed a four-year contract with the English Premier League club after passing a medical and receiving his work permit.

The 23-year-old’s deal has the option of a further one-year extension.

Barrera, who played three times for his country at the World Cup, is the second signing made by new Hammers boss Avram Grant and the club hopes to land two more players “within the next few hours”, with Lyon striker Frederic Piquionne expected to be one of the new arrivals.

Grant first noticed Barrera’s potential in Mexico’s 3-1 friendly defeat against England just before the World Cup and the player believes he can make a big impact at Upton Park.

“I knew about West Ham when I was in Mexico. They are a big club and I have heard about the great players they have had in the past,” he told West Ham’s website.

“For sure, I think it is possible for us to win trophies. I am very excited about the possibilities with West Ham and excited about working with the new manager and the team.

“My goal is to win my place in the team with my skills, to show the fans that I will do my best for West Ham and to win a title with West Ham.

“People have said that I am the sort of player that the fans want to have the ball as often as possible because I can make things happen. I like to excite supporters.”