Slaven Bilic hails 'proven' Javier Hernandez: 'It's very important West Ham signed him'

Slaven Bilic has hailed Javier Hernandez's arrival at the club, insisting the striker's "proven" experience in the Premier League will greatly help improve West Ham.

Hernandez spent five years at Manchester United, which included a season-long loan at Real Madrid, before he opted against joining the Hammers to move to Bayer Leverkusen in 2015.

But after two years at the club, the Mexico striker sealed a £16million move to West Ham last week - with the player admitting Bilic played a huge role in convincing him to move to the London Stadium.

West Ham struggled to score goals last season, and Bilic believes Hernandez is the right man to turn the Hammers' attack into a lethal one next term.

Bilic told West Ham's official website: "He brings energy, makes movement up front and he brings running behind the defence, he brings pace, he brings quality and he brings goals and that’s it, basically!

"He is proven in the Premier League. It’s very important that we signed him."

West Ham have also signed Marko Arnautovic, Joe Hart and Pablo Zabaleta this summer and look to have strengthened their squad in all the key areas.

And Bilic added of Hernandez and the rest of the new arrivals: "I am happy that the deal is complete as it’s a great signing for us.

"I spoke to him a couple of seasons ago when I joined West Ham, when he was at Manchester United and they wanted to sell him.

"I wanted him but then he opted for Leverkusen, but we have had a good relationship since then. So when the opportunity comes now after the season and I found out he could be available, then I called him and he was happy straight away.

"From two years ago until now we had the same conversation, so it helped, of course. There were a few other clubs interested but we are delighted he opted for us."