West Ham have announced the signing of Sébastien Haller from Eintracht Frankfurt for a club-record fee that it is understood could rise to €50m (£45m).

The 25-year-old striker, who scored 20 goals in 41 appearances last season and is a former France Under-21 international who came through the ranks at Auxerre, has signed an initial five-year deal. His fee eclipses the £33.5m West Ham paid for Felipe Anderson last year.

“West Ham are delighted to announce the arrival of prolific French striker Sébastien Haller, the club’s new record signing,” a statement said. “The highly sought-after forward, who turned 25 in June, joins the Hammers on a five-year deal with an option of a further 12 months for an undisclosed fee from Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt.

“The deal for Haller means the Hammers have broken their transfer record for a third time in a little over a year following the captures of Issa Diop and Felipe Anderson.”

Haller joins the Spain midfielder Pablo Fornals and the goalkeeping duo Roberto and David Martin in signing for West Ham this summer. He will not link up with his new teammates until they return from China, where they are competing in the Premier League Asia Trophy.