Former West Ham midfielder Pablo Fornals was today presented by Real Betis, who just signed him on a contract until 2029.
The 27-year-old had a word with the Spanish media, and quoted by Marca, brought some details of the drama lived in the final hours of the transfer window.
The January market closed with Betis and West Ham still not sure the transfer was accepted by FIFA, and the player claims he and the people close to him got quite tense with that situation.
“We had three days of ups and downs, moments when it seemed that I was there, others when it seemed that I was never going to arrive,” said Fornals.
“The last few hours were very stressful because I had just said goodbye to my former teammates and when I spoke to my agent it seemed like everything was done, but no, what was missing was what used to be the fax and now the little match programme and it didn’t arrive.
“That day neither my family nor the Bética family slept because we couldn’t, but the next day, when it seemed that everything was going to be sorted out, it was a relief.”
Fornals also talked about his feelings for West Ham and his departure from the club. According to him, one of the reasons why he returned to Spain is that he didn’t want to play for other Premier League clubs.
“I identified so much with West Ham and I was so happy with my time there that I couldn’t see myself playing for any other team in England other than West Ham. That’s why my reference to my time there was running out.”
Fornals joined West Ham in the summer of 2029, when the Hammers invested €28m on his transfer from Real Betis.
In his time in London, he made 203 appearances, with 23 goals scored and 19 assists made. With little time on the pitch this season, it was time for him to go somewhere else.
