SPORTS
Javier Hernandez sounded confident that he can become the prolific goalscorer West Ham United need when he gave his first news conference on Friday since joining from Bayer Leverkusen.
Javier Hernandez sounded confident that he can become the prolific goalscorer West Ham United need when he gave his first news conference on Friday since joining from Bayer Leverkusen.
The club's fourth major signing of the close-season after goalkeeper Joe Hart, defender Pablo Zabaleta and forward Marko Arnautovic is arguably the most important as manager Slaven Bilic looks to improve on last season's lack of goals.
No player reached double figures and West Ham finished 11th in the Premier League.
Michail Antonio, who will miss the start of the new campaign as he recovers from hamstring surgery, scored nine times in all competitions, Manuel Lanzini eight, the injury-prone Andy Carroll seven and Andre Ayew six.
"I never set a goals target," Hernandez said at West Ham's training base in Germany.
"It's about the team and I want to show I'm a football player not (just) a goal-scorer.
"But I'm coming here with a lot of hunger and ambition. It's the most difficult league in the world and I want to challenge myself," the Mexican added.
"I had other options, in Spain and Italy, but West Ham showed a lot of confidence and trust in me. They have shown a lot of ambition and want to qualify for Europe again."
For someone who has often been used as a substitute, the player known in his homeland as "Chicharito" (Little Pea), has an impressive scoring record with a goal every two games for Leverkusen and Mexico and one in three for Manchester United, who he joined in 2010.
He is already looking forward to a return to Old Trafford for West Ham's opening Premier League game on Aug. 13 and starting to justify a fee of 16 million pounds ($21 million).
Manager Bilic has revealed that he wanted to sign Hernandez when United released him two years ago following a season-long loan to Real Madrid.
"It probably helped him to make his mind up that he wanted to join us that he knew that I wanted him two years ago," Bilic said.
"He's very important to our project, a very important player."
($1 = 0.7643 pounds)
(This article has not been edited by DNA's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)
After strong tremors in Delhi-NCR, 4.0 magnitude earthquake jolts Bihar's Siwan
Delhi-NCR earthquake: Netizens react with hilarious memes amid 4.0 magnitude tremors, check here
BAFTA: Payal Kapdia's All We Imagine As Light faces another disappointment, films loses to...
Student paraglides to college after getting late for exam, netizens react, watch viral video
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu issues BIG warning to Hamas: 'Gates of hell will...'
Delhi-NCR Earthquake Today: Tremors of magnitude 4 jolt Delhi and adjoining areas
This film has broken world box office records, not Hollywood, Bollywood but...
Meet Satyam Pandey who got high-paying job offer, not from IIM, NIT, IIIT, his annual salary is…
Gurgaon couple reunites with lost dog after three-month search in Agra
Meet man, IIT graduate, who topped UPSC exam in third attempt, he is from...
Noida authority takes BIG action against promoters of 2 housing projects, as realty firm fails to...
WPL 2025: Ashleigh Gardner, Deandra Dottin star as Gujarat Giants beat UP Warriorz by 6 wickets
This city is the coldest, darkest and most polluted in the world, tourists are banned here due to...
New Fastag rules from today: Users may incur additional charges if...; check details
Inside Kareena Kapoor, Saif Ali Khan's son Jeh's mario-themed birthday bash, watch
Meet Indian genius, who got high-paying job offer, not from IIT, IIM, his annual salary is Rs…
Shoaib Ibrahim gifts new house to his mother-in-law, Dipika Kakar's mother gets emotional
Deepika Padukone joins Kartik Aaryan, Anil Kapoor, Jackie Shroff at Mumbai event; see viral photos
Man wanted in Canada's biggest gold heist found living in THIS Indian city, he is...
'Free Samay Raina': Badshah shouts at his concert in Gujarat
Amitabh Bachchan's son-in-law Nikhil Nanda faces legal trouble, FIR filed against businessman for...
'Rohit Sharma or Virat Kohli...': R Ashwin lambasts 'superstar culture' in Indian cricket
Bombay HC to hear PIL on Sushant Singh Rajput's death, actor's father says...
Ajay Devgn's absence from Kajol's Valentine's Day post sparks speculation: 'Kalesh chal raha hai'
Anil Ambani-led company's loss widens to Rs 3298 crore in just...; its business is...
Premanand Maharaj's morning yatra set to resume after..., it was stopped because...
Champions Trophy 2025: Gautam Gambhir, Ajit Agarkar clash over Shreyas Iyer's position in team
239 composite liquor shops to be opened in..., booze business ramps up in...
Mukesh Ambani may lose the position of Asia's richest after Reliance loses...in just...days
Elon Musk-led DOGE halts Rs 175 crore election funding for India due to...
Malaika Arora shares her Paneer Thecha recipe, here's how you can make it
Mahakumbh viral girl Monalisa steps into 5-star hotel for lunch for first time, see viral post
Meet CID-fame actor, who once did a show for Rs 20, lost his wife due to...now earns...
Vinod Kambli makes surprising move, former Indian cricketer decides to donate...
Sachin Tendulkar breaking heart on V Day with Anjali in tow is oddly satisfying, watch viral video
Ekta Kapoor to face police probe, Mumbai court orders inquiry for...
Lahori Zeera makers likely to get Rs 450 crore as fundraising from Motilal Oswal among others
'You're pregnant': Ileana D'Cruz expecting second child with Michael Dolan!
Akshay Kumar touches Amitabh Bachchan's feet at ISPL2 finale, their association goes back to...
Who is Lalit Modi’s new Valentine? All about Rima Bouri, IPL founder’s new girlfriend
India's big 'treasure' is hidden here, once THIS work is done country will earn Rs...
This country hits big JACKPOT, discovers one of world's biggest gold reserves worth Rs...
Roadies XX star Prince Narula, Yuvika Chaudhary demand Rs 20 lakh bribe? Here's what we know
What led to stampede at New Delhi Railway Station that killed 18 people? 10 points