West Ham agree deal for ‘next Fernando Torres’

Slaven Bilic: Reveals transfer strategy

West Ham United have announced they have agreed a deal to sign promising Spanish forward Toni Martinez from Valencia for a reported fee of £2.4million.

The 18-year-old striker will join the Hammers on a three-year contract on 1 July 2016, but Valencia given the youngster permission to train with his future team-mates immediately to help him to settle in England.

Martinez, who says he gets compared to Fernando Torres, will join Terry Westley’s Development Squad with the aim of making his way into Slaven Bilic’s first-team squad.

The Spain under-17 international has been a prolific scorer throughout his time with Los Che, netting more than 100 times over the past four seasons.

The Murcia-born frontman, who was also part of the Spain U19 squad which won the 2015 UEFA European Championship title, is looking forward to linking up with West Ham this summer.

“For me, it’s a great opportunity to be here and I hope to make the most of being at such a big club,” Martinez told the club’s website.

“I am a striker and usually get compared to Fernando Torres,” he added. “I am a striker, but I also like getting back and playing as part of the team.

“The Premier League is well considered across the world and in Spain, we believe that it is one of the best leagues in the world. This is a fantastic opportunity and I am fulfilling a lifelong dream by signing for one of the big clubs in the Premier League.

“The prospect of playing in front of 60,000 people next year really catches my attention, and it is a Stadium that has so much history. I am hoping to be able to get the opportunity to do that and I hope that it will be soon.”