Brazil's Paqueta joins West Ham for club-record €61.6M fee

LONDON (AP) — Brazil international Lucas Paqueta joined West Ham for a club-record fee of €61.6 million ($61.6 million) on Monday, ending his two-year stint at French team Lyon.

Lyon said the fee included €18.7 million in bonuses spread over the player's five-year contract.

The signing of Paqueta, a silky attacking midfielder who can play anywhere across the forward line or deeper in central midfield, is another statement of intent by West Ham, which has also bought Italy striker Gianluca Scamacca for £30 million ($36 million) from Sassuolo in this transfer window.

Paquetá played against West Ham in the Europa League last season. He previously played for AC Milan.

"He's a player I’ve admired from afar for a very long time,” West Ham manager David Moyes said, "and of course, we saw him close up in our Europa League campaign last season.

"He's a very talented footballer and whilst he will need time to adapt to the Premier League, we’re excited about adding another proven international to our squad.”

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