Zabaleta to sign two-year contract with West Ham

West Ham United on Friday announced that veteran Argentine full-back Pablo Zabaleta will join the capital football club on a two-year deal on July 1, when his contract with Manchester City expires.

A fine defender and respected leader, Zabaleta won two English Premier League (EPL) titles and four other trophies during a nine-year spell with City.

"I hope I can give you good moments. Of course, I come to the Club to enjoy myself and hopefully we can have a very successful time," Zabaleta told West Ham TV, while revealing he turned down offers from leading clubs in Italy, Spain and England to join the London club.

"Sometimes a new challenge is all you need as a person and as a player. I thought my time at City was done. It's been a fantastic nine years, absolutely brilliant," the 32-year-old former Espanyol player added.

At international level, Zabaleta captained Argentina to FIFA World Youth Championship glory in 2005, won Olympic Gold in Beijing in 2008 and has appeared at two Copa America and one FIFA World Cup finals. In all, he has 58 caps for his country.

--IANS

pur/dg