West Ham have confirmed the signing of goalkeeper Roberto on a free transfer.
The Spaniard has spent most of his career in La Liga, although he also had a spell at Olympiakos where Mario Husillos was sporting director for a brief period.
Roberto has said he is delighted to have signed for the Hammers and is looking forward to playing in the Premier League:
“I consider this step a big step in my career. I think everyone who follows football knows the importance of this Club, so I’m really excited. I am looking forward to playing in the Premier League.”
Some fans on Twitter are not sure who Roberto is, but they are pleased that the signing was made without anyone getting wind of it:
This is a much better way of signing players. Keeping it as quiet as possible and avoiding all the speculation. It’s also a nice surprise for the fans ⚒
— Mark Deal 父 (@Deal770M) May 31, 2019
Replace a one-named Spanish keeper with another and think we won’t notice… pic.twitter.com/MnXQTEJtLL
— Matthew Mair (@MattyMair) May 31, 2019
I’ll type him name in football manager
— Warren Dale-Mchugh (@Warren_MUFC) May 31, 2019
Such a random transfer. No where even reported us possibly signing him. Just out of the blue ??
— Josh (@WhuJosh) May 31, 2019
Good backup for fab ????
— Billy Sullivan (@Bilsul2003) May 31, 2019
Got a good feeling will be a good back up keeper let’s all make him feel at home #WelcomeRoberto ⚒
— Oliver Bruton (@olliebruton) May 31, 2019
This isn’t Gomes
— Joel⚒ (@JoelWhu) May 31, 2019
— Jamie Thomas (@jaymeeteewhu98) May 31, 2019
Not a bad signing, better than signing that reject from Millwall
— SV (@Steve_V84) May 31, 2019
Roberto comes in to replace Adrian who the club have confirmed will leave at the end of his contract in June.
The new signing has had spells at Atletico Madrid, Benfica, Real Zaragoza, Olympiakos and Espanyol, as well as a number of loan spells.
Last season, Roberto made just six appearances for Espanyol, all coming in the Copa del Rey. He was reserve to veteran Diego Lopez.
