West Ham Confirm Signing of Argentinians

According to Sky Sports News West Ham have confirmed the signings of Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano. Apparently the club will issue an official statement later today. The rights to both players are currently owned by Media Sports Investments, who were rumoured last year to be in take over talks with the West Ham board (there is obviously more to this story).

22 year old Carlos Tevez was being hunted by Man Utd, Arsenal, Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Milan. FourFourTwo once labelled the young player the new Diego Maradona. Tevez first emerged on the world stage during the 2004 Olympic Games, when Argentina won the gold medal and Tevez scored eight goals in six matches to be the top scorer of the competition.

The Argentine Football Writers chose him as Footballer of the Year in 2003 and 2004, and also Sportsman of the Year 2004. He was named Futbolista latinoamericano mas destacado ("Most notable Latin American footballer") in 2003 by Latin American Fox Sports, and in 2004 was the world's second top goal scorer in international competitions. When Tevez moved to Corinthians in 2004 for a £20 million deal it was a record transfer in South American football.

Manchester United reportedly were tying to strike a deal of around £25 million for the signing of Tevez, and were also reported to be keen on signing Javier Mascherano.

Javier Alejandro Mascherano is a defensive midfielder who can also play on the right wing. Whilst at Corinthinas, Real Madrid, Deportivo de La Coruna, Man Utd and Inter Milan have all tried to sign the player.