Exclusive: First words from imminent new signing Konstantinos Mavropanos ahead of West Ham unveiling

Hammers News exclusively brings you the first words from imminent new signing Konstantinos Mavropanos ahead of his West Ham unveiling.

As reported yesterday, after a long, barren couple of months, West Ham are on the verge of sealing their third arrival of the summer transfer window in the shape of Konstantinos Mavropanos.

The Hammers are signing the big Greek defender for £17m up front from Stuttgart with £4m in add-ons and 10% of the German club’s profit on the deal – which amounts to around £1.65m – going to his former club Arsenal.

Midfield duo Edson Alvarez and James Ward-Prowse have joined West Ham in deals worth a combined total of £64m.

And the pair made their debuts for the Hammers in the memorable – and eventful – 3-1 win over rivals Chelsea.

Watching on was soon-to-be-announced new signing Mavropanos.

The defender was spotted by some fans in the director’s box area of the ground for the victory.

And Hammers News was fortunate to get a very brief chat with the defender as he returned to his accommodation after the victory at the London Stadium.

So we can exclusively bring you the first words from imminent new signing Mavropanos ahead of his West Ham unveiling.

“Thank you, it’s a pleasure to be here,” Mavropanos said when welcomed to West Ham.

“Very soon,” he replied when asked if he was close to being announced as the Hammers’ latest signing.

“I know and I’m looking forward to it, thank you,” he added when told he had joined a great club.

Aside from being very amenable as he was being taken to his suite, the first thing that struck me about Mavropanos was just how imposing he is.

I’m 6ft 1in and the 25-year-old stands at just under 6ft 5in tall – but I felt in the presence of a giant.

He is an absolute unit and it is easy to see why he has been labelled a monster.

He looks as solid as a brick wall and had hands like shovels. So physically he seems to have everything a defender needs to be successful in the Premier League now he has his second chance as an older wiser pro following his spell with the Gunners as a younger player.

Statistically Mavropanos was one of the best centre-backs in the Bundesliga last season, recording the most interceptions in the entire league.

He is very comfortable on the ball, five years younger than former Hammers target Harry Maguire and is a monster aerially – in both boxes.

Pending his successful two-part medical, Mavropanos is expected to be unveiled by West Ham imminently.

West Ham will now have a strong centre-back pool comprised of their new Greek star, Kurt Zouma, Nayef Aguerd, Angelo Ogbonna and Thilo Kehrer. And – if needed – Alvarez can play there too.