Prague – Czech Republic international Tomas Soucek will move to West Ham from Slavia Prague on loan until the end of the season, the Czech champions said on Wednesday.
The deal includes an option for a permanent transfer if the Hammers avoid relegation from the Premier League, for a fee that could rise to just over €20 million.
“Signed. Joy and sadness at the same time,” said Slavia owner Jaroslav Tvrdik in a tweet.
West Ham are currently 17th in the table and only above Bournemouth and Watford on goal difference.
Slavia captain Soucek, a defensive midfielder who will turn 25 in February, has scored eight goals in 18 games for Slavia in the Czech top flight this season.
He also netted twice in Slavia’s Champions League group stage campaign, during which they drew away to both Barcelona and Inter Milan.
“We will miss him terribly as captain, player and man,” said Tvrdik. “It will be tough to replace him.”
Soucek has 25 caps for the Czech Republic, who were drawn alongside England at the Euro 2020 finals.
West Ham recently announced significant losses for the last financial year to May 31, 2019 and warned of “serious financial consequences” should they be relegated.
The club has made a net spend of £214 million on players over the past four years.
