West Ham United have announced the arrival of striker Jordan Hugill from Preston North End on a four-and-a-half-year deal.
The 25-year-old has netted 10 goals in 29 league and cup outings for the Lilywhites in his most prolific campaign in front of goal to date.
Preston were forced to deny on Tuesday that a £10m agreement had been struck with Crystal Palace for the 25-year-old's services, describing the press reports as "wholly inaccurate".
Hugill has got his dream move to the Premier League, however, with West Ham handing over an undisclosed fee to bolster their attacking ranks for the rest of the season and beyond in a deal that was not confirmed until 30 minutes after the 11pm deadline.
Speaking to his new club's official website, the Middlesbrough-born forward said: "I'm absolutely delighted. It's been a long day, but to get this over the line is amazing for me and it's now a new challenge for me and hopefully I can bring what I did at Preston here and show what I can do. We got on the train at lunchtime and I couldn't tell you what happened, it's all been a blur!
"It's amazing to know I'm a Premier League footballer, to know where I've come from in the last five years to where I am now in the Premier League is amazing. I'm still pinching myself to see if it's all real, but hopefully I can bring my qualities from Preston here to West Ham. Without a doubt it's a huge opportunity and I'm looking forward to it.
"Wherever I have been in life, not just in football, but in whatever I do, I give everything. I'm going to give absolutely everything for this club and for my teammates. It's a new challenge for me, playing in the Premier League, but they are going to get nothing less than 100%.
"I know a lot about West Ham and its history. Upton Park spoke for itself and now the big move here which was a brilliant thing. The one thing that has struck me about watching West Ham over the years is the fan base that we've got. It's amazing how good the fans are here, so I'm looking forward to walking out at London Stadium and hearing the old Bubbles!"
Hugill, handed the number 12 shirt at the London Stadium, also boasts a number of non-league and lower-league sides - including the likes of Seaham Red Star and Whitby Town - on his CV.
Daniel Lewis
