Former Chelsea fullback Emerson Palmieri is excited signing for West Ham United.

The Italy international says he's well aware of the club's rich history and tradition.

Emerson told the club's website: “I'm very happy to be here and to arrive here. It's a big challenge for me, it's a big team, so I'm very happy to be here and I'm ready.

“Personally, since the first day I arrived here in England, I always see the big clubs and I always watched the big games and I know the history about West Ham. The history is so, so big for this team and of course [so are] the stadium and fans as well at this Club, so when I knew about the interest, about the team and the Club, for sure I said 'Yes, let's go, I want to go there' and I'm here now!"

Emerson also is happy to be joining Italy teammates Angelo Ogbonna and Gianluca Scamacca.

He added: “I know them very well because we have played together in the national team and of course it's good when you arrive in a new club with new teammates and you have some with similar language. They help me a lot and on the first day we talked about everything here in the Club.

“I spoke with Angelo three days before I signed the contract. He's the agent!"