West Ham United have completed the transfer of Colombian international midfielder Carlos Sanchez from Italian Serie A club Fiorentina.

Carlos Sanchez, 32, joins the Premier League outfit from Fiorentina after signing a two-year contract.

The 88-cap Colombian star becomes the club’s ninth signing of the summer having previously featured for Aston Villa in the Premier League.

He was part of the Colombia squad that was eliminated by England in the last 16 at the recently concluded FIFA World Cup tournament in Russia.

The defensive midfielder holds the unwanted record of being the first player to be sent off in Russia after his red card in the Group H game against Japan.

On his new career move, Carlos Sanchez told the club’s website: “I decided to come here because, first, it is the Premier League, second, it’s a beautiful club and the fans are always helping the club and, third, for me it’s an amazing opportunity and an amazing project.”

West Ham director of football Mario Husillos added: “He has great quality as a holding midfielder. He can also cover other positions but it is as a defensive midfielder that he really excels.”

“I have known the Colombia national team coach, Jose Pekerman, for many, many years, and he has always spoken very highly of Carlos.” He concluded.