OFFICIAL: Patrice Evra Seals Premier League Return With West Ham
REUTERS/Giorgio Perottino
West Ham United have confirmed that Patrice Evra has joined the club until the end of the current campaign.
Evra has not played in the Premier League since leaving United for Juventus back in 2014. The left-back is one of the competition’s greatest players of all time, having acquired legendary status at Old Trafford during his eight-year spell at the club.
After a relatively successful spell at Juventus, the Frenchman departed for Ligue 1, joining Marseille on a free transfer.
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However, he lasted just 11 months in France, as an incident in the Europa League that saw him sent off for kung-fu kicking a fan in the head led to him receiving a hefty ban, which then led to Marseille ripping up his contract.
The 36-year-old, who is known as one of footballs most happy-go-lucky stars, has been out of football since, but has been given a lifeline by West Ham.
In a statement released on their official website, the club said: “West Ham United are pleased to confirm the signing of the vastly-experienced Patrice Evra on a short-term contract.
“Evra, who joins the Hammers on a contract until the end of June 2018 and will wear the No27 shirt, worked with Hammers manager David Moyes during his time at Old Trafford, and is looking forward to linking up with his old boss and returning to the Premier League.”
“I’m really happy to be a Hammer, to be back in the Premier League and I love this game!” said the dynamic left-back, using the catchphrase he has made famous on his hugely popular Instagram channel.
“It’s amazing to be back and I am thankful to West Ham for giving me the opportunity to do my job. When I wake up and know I am going to work hard, to have fun with my teammates and give my best on the pitch, I want to say a massive thanks to West Ham, to the Chairman, to the manager to all my teammates, who have given me a nice welcome, my agent and my brother.
“I’m just happy to be here, it’s really simple. You don’t realise how lucky you are and just to wake up this morning and know I am going to train with my new teammates made me smile!”