West Ham complete signing of Swansea midfielder Flynn Downes
West Ham United have completed the whirlwind signing of Swansea midfielder Flynn Downes.
The 23-year-old has penned a five-year contract at London Stadium, with the option of an additional year, and steps up to Premier League level for an undisclosed fee believed to be in the region of £9m plus add-ons.
“It’s a surreal feeling to have joined my boyhood Club,” Downes said. “I feel like I’m dreaming.
“It’s been my dream since I was a little boy to join this Club - it’s an absolute privilege. This is my Club, so I couldn’t be more delighted. I’m glad to be here and I can’t wait to get started.
“I want to be the best I can be and this feels like the perfect opportunity to test myself against the very best players in the Premier League.
“Players have come to West Ham from the Championship and progressed to international honours. That’s something you can’t ignore. The manager’s track record of bringing players through was a big motivation in me joining the Club.
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“I’m so grateful for the opportunity to be a West Ham player.”
Downes is West Ham's fourth summer signing, following the arrivals of Nayef Aguerd, Alphonse Areola and Patrick Kelly - although the latter is expected to join up with West Ham's academy side.
A lifelong Hammers fan, Downes spent just one season at Swansea after joining the club from Ipswich for £1.5m and quickly established himself as a first team regular. He made 37 Championship appearances during 2021/22, registering a passing accuracy of 93%, and has previously been capped at England Under-19 and England Under-20 level.
He had been of interest to Crystal Palace, with Patrick Vieira keen to strengthen his midfield options following the end of Conor Gallagher's successful loan spell.
But despite serious interest from the Eagles, Downes has opted to continue his career at West Ham - and will now strengthen David Moyes' options in midfield ahead of a busy 2022/23 campaign that will contain Europa Conference League football.