On August 31st 2016, West Ham United confirmed the signing of Alvaro Arbeloa on a one-year deal.
The 35-year-old made his debut on the 21st of September, playing the full 90 minutes in a 1-0 home win over Accrington Stanley in the EFL Cup.
Some supporters thought that their side had just secured a valuable player that had the ability to thrive once again in the Premier League, as they took to the confirmation of the signing on Twitter with delight.
@TomFrase10 @aarbeloa17 big signing this mind
— Ryan (@rynhls) September 1, 2016
Great little signing @WestHamUtd @aarbeloa17 great experience to the back line loving the look of the squad now can really kick on! #COYI
— Thomas Bonser (@ThomasBonser_) August 31, 2016
https://twitter.com/simonmcurtis/status/771013335466795008
Welcome Arbeloa – very good signing.
Winner
Experienced
Knows the Premier League
No more Antonio at RB— Brownie (@WestHamMatters) 31 August 2016
https://twitter.com/Shaawryy/status/771073957260881920
https://twitter.com/Tinyrumens/status/771006480032141312
Arbeloa is a great signing! Experience doesn’t come much better than this guy. Very good window for us- would’ve loved a big name striker
— cam (@robson1896) August 31, 2016
Alvaro Arbeloa started playing football at local club Real Zaragoza and joined Real Madrid’s youth system at 18. The Spaniard spent three full seasons with Real Madrid Castilla, and on the 16th of October 2004, he made his La Liga debut with the main squad, coming on as a second-half substitute in a 1–1 away draw against Real Betis.
However, the full-back went on to sign on loan for Deportivo de La Coruna in 2006, before signing for Liverpool on the 31st of January 2007. The experienced defender enjoyed some of his best days in England as he helped the Reds reach the Champions League final and was one of their standout performers in the Premier League.
On the 29 of July 2009, it was announced that Real Madrid and Liverpool had reached an agreement on the transfer of Arbeloa, for a fee of £5 million and a five-year contract.
After spending seven successful years in Spain, the full-back signed a one year contract at the London Stadium under Slaven Bilic on the 31st of August 2016.
He made his debut on the 21st of September, playing the full 90 minutes in a 1–0 home win over Accrington Stanley in the EFL Cup, but struggled to have any desired effect after that as he made just four competitive appearances for the club, which resulted in him being released.
With some West Ham United supporters delighted about the arrival of the Spaniard, it was always going to be difficult for him to live up to expectations having enjoyed such a successful career up to that point. But, after witnessing his poor performances in the claret and blue, it’s safe to say he was a terrible signing for the Hammers.
