Manuel Pellegrini has completed his first signing as West Ham manager as it has been confirmed that afternoon that Ryan Fredericks will move across London a free transfer once his Fulham contract expires at the end of the month.
The right back, who became a key figure in Slavisa Jokanovic’s free-flowing side, turned down Fulham’s offer of a new deal and is reported to be earning around £40,000 a week with West Ham. Fredericks quickly became a popular figure at Craven Cottage having joined from Bristol City for a nominal fee in August 2015 and soon established himself as the club’s first-choice right back ahead of Jazz Richards.
His pacey and adventurous play down the right flank was a key weapon as Fulham firstly secured their Championship status under Jokanovic and reached the play-offs in two successive seasons, culminating in their Wembley win over Aston Villa earlier this month. Fredericks made more than 100 senior appearances for the Whites and Jokanovic is known to be considering entering the transfer market to supplement his squad in anticipation of his departure.
