Diarra signs three-year deal

West Ham have completed the signing of French international Alou Diarra.

As revealed here on KUMB late on Wednesday evening, the 31-year-old flew into London yesterday in order to undergo a two-part medical which was finally completed earlier this morning.

Just a few minutes ago it was confirmed by West Ham United that the former Marseille player has completed his move to the Boleyn Ground, siging a three-year deal with the Hammers. And although the fee is undisclosed, reports suggest that West Ham paid in the region of £2million to sign Diarra from the Ligue 1 outfit.

Speaking via whufc.com, he said: "I am very happy to be here at West Ham. Everything is signed now and I am excited to be playing for them in the Premier League. I know a lot about West Ham as a club and when I knew they were interested in signing me, I was very happy and knew it would be a good choice.

"Of the players in the team, I know Guy [Demel], Mo [Diame] and Modibo Maiga, who played in the French league last year. I am looking forward to a good challenge with the team; I hope that my experience can help and the fans will see me give my all in the matches."

A defensive midfielder who can also be utilised in the centre of defence, Diarra first moved to England 2002 when he was signed by Gerard Houllier, a fellow Frenchman, for Liverpool in 2002 (from Bayern Munich).

However he failed to make a single appearance for the Merseyside club and spent the three years contracted to the club on loan at Le Havre, Bastia and Lens - who he eventually joined on a permanent basis in 2005.

The 6'3" Frenchman's most successful years followed thereafter as he moved to Lyon in 2006 - where he picked up a league-winners medal - and then on to Bordeaux in 2007 where he spent the next four years.

It was during this stage in his career that he captained his country at the 2010 World Cup Finals, in their opening game of the tournament against hosts South Africa.

Linked with clubs such as Manchester City in the past, Diarra moved to current club Marseille in July 2011 for €5million. He becomes West Ham's eighth signing of pre-season.


Pre-season signings: the story so far

May
21st: Stephen Henderson (Portsmouth, nominal fee)

June
14th: Jussi Jaaskelainen (Bolton, nominal fee)
20th: Momo Diame (Wigan, free transfer)

July
1st: George McCartney (Sunderland, nominal fee)
18th: Modibo Maiga (Sochaux, £4.5million)
23rd: Raphael Spiegler (Grasshoppers, nominal fee)

August
1st: James Collins (Aston Villa, £2million)
10th: Alou Diarra (Marseille, £2million)