West Ham announce £12m signing of Danny Ings from Aston Villa

West Ham have announced the £12m signing of striker Danny Ings from Aston Villa as look to fight their way out of relegation trouble.

David Moyes has been a longtime admirer of the 30-year-old striker, who has scored seven goals in 21 appearances this season. Aston Villa's top scorer has signed on with the Hammers until the summer of 2025.

Ings will don the No. 18 shirt for West Ham and is eligible to debut against Everton tomorrow in a crucial clash at the foot on the Premier League after paperwork was submitted prior to Friday's midday deadline.

Ings expressed his joy at joining the East London club, though admitted there is a sense of urgency to hit the ground running.

'I'm really excited to join West Ham United,' Ings told the club's website. 'It's important I settle in as quickly as I can do – and do the important stuff on the pitch for West Ham.

'We've got some massive games ahead of us – and I've come here to try and score as many goals as I can to help the team to get some positive results. I'm really looking forward to getting started.'

Sportsmail reported West Ham's interest earlier this month, along with Everton, who wanted the 30-year old on an initial loan.

Sportsmail also previously reported Villa did not want to loan out the former England international but were willing to listen to permanent offers particularly after signing Jhon Duran from Chicago Fire this week.

Ultimately, Moyes and the Hammers hierarchy pulled the trigger to ensure the experienced Premier League striker would call the London Stadium home.

'I'm really pleased to add Danny to the squad,' he told the club website. 'He is a proven Premier League goalscorer and will add great competition for places in the attacking third.

'We're looking forward to integrating him into the group, as we go into a busy period in our season.'

Ings was brought to Aston Villa from Southampton by former manager and Liverpool team-mate Steven Gerrard, but struggled for minutes under incumbent Villa boss Unai Emery.

Since the Spaniard took over, Ings managed just 188 minutes in six Premier League games - with his only start coming in a 2-1 win at Brighton, where he scored a brace.

Ings scored 14 goals in 52 games for Villa since joining the club for £25m in the summer of 2021 from the Saints.

He has also played in the Premier League for Burnley, Liverpool and Southampton after he came through the youth ranks at Bournemouth while they were in the Football League.

Ings will more than likely bring Premier League know-how, and guaranteed goals, plus a work rate which fits in with Moyes's ethos.

The manager faces a crucial game against his former club Everton on Saturday amid questions over his own future and that of counterpart Frank Lampard.

Fortunately for Moyes, Ings loves playing against former Merseyside rival, Everton. The striker has a better record against the Toffees than any other team across his career.

In 15 games against the Blues, Ings has scored seven goals and delivered three assists. Earlier this season, he opened the scoring in Everton's 2-1 loss at Villa Park.