Ex-Arsenal, Manchester City Player Samir Nasri Signs West Ham Contract

Christopher Simpson @@CJSimpsonBRFeatured ColumnistDecember 31, 2018

LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 26: Samir Nasri of Manchester City arrives prior to the International Champions Cup 2017 match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on July 26, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images)

Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images

Samir Nasri has signed for West Ham United until the end of the season after spending time training with the club.

The Hammers announced the free-agent signing on New Year's Eve:

West Ham United @WestHamUtd
Following a successful period of training at Rush Green, the French midfielder has joined the Hammers on an initial contract until the end of the 2018/19 season, with the option to extend his stay in east London. https://t.co/l6eFAcUD3p

Per BBC Sport, Nasri will be free to play again on January 1, having completed an 18-month ban from the game because of the use of an intravenous drip treatment.

The 31-year-old's doping ban prompted his exit from Turkish side Antalyaspor in January 2018, and he began training with West Ham in November.

Nasri said of his decision to join the club:

"You choose a club and a project because of the ambition, and I think that West Ham has everything to be one of the biggest clubs in London, for sure. I mean, 60,000 people every game at home. We play in the Olympic Stadium. The training ground is there and you have owners who wants to invest and have a good team. Everything is there to be doing great things."

West Ham's official Twitter account provided further comments:

West Ham United @WestHamUtd
Samir Nasri explains why he decided to join West Ham United and what he has learned from his past... ➡️ https://t.co/008d6uqXAc https://t.co/OgEtyFVrIw

Nasri is a familiar face in the Premier League, having made over 200 appearances in England's top flight during nine years with Arsenal and Manchester City.

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The Frenchman won two league titles with the latter, the second of which came under West Ham boss Manuel Pellegrini.

Pellegrini said he is "happy to be working with him again" and feels Nasri's technical ability will give his side "another dimension in our attacking play."

The Independent's Jack Pitt-Brooke is looking forward to seeing him back in action, while Football.London's Sam Inkersole believes he could be a good addition to the squad:

Jack Pitt-Brooke @JackPittBrooke
Nasri is an absolutely brilliant footballer, technically perfect, and I cannot wait to see him back in the Prem. https://t.co/rZYuXHnnxb

Sam Inkersole @Sam_InkersoleTM
Samir Nasri is a no risk signing by #WHUFC and certainly strengthens the squad. If he can get back to those Arsenal/City days, who knows though it's unlikely. Also, he has to earn a longer deal as well if he wants to stay so plenty to prove still.

There's no denying the playmaker's talent, and at his best he can be a frequent provider of both goals and assists.

However, it could take him time to get up to speed after so long out of the game, and he has to show he can still perform at the top level.