West Ham United has hired former Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini as its new manager, the club announced Tuesday.
Pellegrini signed a three-year contract to become the team's 17th permanent gaffer.
The 64-year-old, who managed Manchester City to a Premier League championship in 2013-14, was most recently at Hebei China Fortune, though the Chinese Super League club allowed the Chilean to leave by releasing him from his contract this week.
"I'm very happy because I return to a league that, for me, and I always say the same thing, is the best league in the world, and especially because I come here to West Ham because every time I spoke with the owner Mister (David) Sullivan, I always had the feeling that he wants me," Pellegrini said.
While West Ham didn't disclose financial terms, reports earlier in the week suggested Pellegrini was set to earn up to £7 million annually.
He replaces Scottish manager David Moyes, who stepped down from the role after securing West Ham's Premier League status for next season.