Portuguese midfielder Mateus Fernandes has joined West Ham United on a five-year deal from Southampton, both English clubs announced on Friday.

Southampton said the 21-year-old, who made 36 Premier League appearances for the club last season as they were relegated, joined West Ham for a package worth more than 40 million pounds ($54.04 million).

"I'm very happy to be here... it's a big step for me," Fernandes said in a statement. "It's a big club, a massive club. The project, the stadium, the city, everything."

Fernandes, who graduated from the youth academy of Sporting, spent a year on loan at fellow Primeira Liga side Estoril before joining Southampton last year for a reported fee of 15 million pounds ($20 million).

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