Mexico’s Javier Hernandez (green jersey) controls the ball while under pressure from Antonio Ruediger of Germany during their FIFA Confederations Cup semifinal on June 29, 2017 in Sochi, Russia. (Photo: FIFA via Getty Images)
LONDON – West Ham United announced Thursday that it has reached an agreement with Bayer Leverkusen to acquire Mexico international Javier Hernandez.
The 29-year-old forward joined the German side in August 2015 from Manchester United, scoring 39 goals in 76 matches.
Hernandez commenced his European career in 2010 with a move to Manchester United from Liga MX’s Guadalajara. He struck for 57 goals in 159 games for the English power and won a pair of Premier League titles.
The 96-time capped star spent a majority of the 2014/15 season on loan at Real Madrid – netting nine times in 33 games in all competitions – but returned to England after the agreement expired. His biggest moment in Spain came in the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals, when he notched the only goal in a two-game series against Atletico Madrid.
With Mexico, Hernandez has the distinction of scoring in two FIFA World Cups (2010, 2014), two FIFA Confederations Cups (2013, 2017), the CONCACAF Gold Cup (2011; Golden Ball and Golden Boot winner with seven goals) and a Copa America (2016).
He overtook Jared Borgetti as Mexico’s all-time leading scorer on May 27, 2017, tallying his 47th international goal in a friendly against Croatia.
Hernandez is expected to travel to London to complete the transaction within the coming days.
