West Ham sign Fulham's Boa Morte

2Slick

West Ham have signed Fulham captain Luis Boa Morte for an undisclosed fee, thought to be about £5m.

The 29-year-old Portugal striker had been linked with Newcastle and Benfica, but has become Alan Curbishley's first signing since arriving at West Ham.

Boa Morte said he was not worried by the club's lowly position. He said: "That did not put me off.

"I'm confident West Ham can have a good second half to the season and we can pull ourselves out of trouble."

Interview: West Ham's new signing Luis Boa Morte

Fulham boss Chris Coleman was keen to keep Boa Morte, but told the club's website: "I am of course disappointed that Luis has decided his future is not with Fulham.

"He has been a great servant to the club and we all wish him well.

"However, I have always said that if a player is not happy playing for this club and expresses a desire to go, then I would be prepared to let him leave; and this was the case with Luis."


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Boa Morte started his career with Sporting Lisbon, and moved to Arsenal at the age of 19 in June 1997 for £1.5m deal.

He only made 40 appearances for the Gunners and switched to Southampton in a £500,000 transfer two years later.

Boa Morte joined Fulham on loan in the summer of 2000 before completing a permanent £1.7 move.

Meanwhile, Curbishley has criticised his predecessor Alan Pardew's summer signings.

He told Five Live: "We bought a lot of players but none of them have really made their mark.

"Robert Green has been playing regularly since I've been here but none of the other outfield players have really made their mark. They have not forced their way into the team."