Ben Haim makes Hammers loan move

03 August 2010 12:32
West Ham have signed Portsmouth defender Tal Ben Haim on loan until January and hope to follow the capture with that of a young World Cup star.[LNB] Ben Haim, who has been reunited with former Pompey manager Avram Grant, is the Hammers' fourth summer signing.[LNB]The 28-year-old joins German midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger, Mexican winger Pablo Barrera and French forward Frederic Piquionne in moving to Upton Park.[LNB]West Ham have promised their summer spending is not over and hope to complete the signing of a "young international who represented their country to distinction at the World Cup" this week.[LNB]Ben-Haim has played under Grant for Chelsea, Portsmouth and at international level with Israel, for whom he has won over 50 caps.[LNB]The Hammers' announcement said: "West Ham United are delighted to announce the loan signing of Israel defender Tal Ben Haim and can confirm the club are close to securing another international player.[LNB]"Ben Haim is the fourth new face in Avram Grant's squad in what has been a busy summer of arrivals. He is an experienced centre-back with a strong character. He can play across the back four and will provide top-level competition for the club's existing defenders.[LNB]"With the ink barely dry on Ben Haim's contract, club officials stepped up their bid to secure a fifth signing this close-season and hope to have the deal finalised within the next 72 hours.[LNB]"The potential recruit is a young international, who represented his country to distinction at the 2010 FIFA World Cup."[LNB]Ben Haim had been expected to make a permanent move to Upton Park but Portsmouth boss Steve Cotterill hinted he could not agree terms.[LNB]He said in The News before the transfer was confirmed: "I feel sorry for Tal. One minute he's here and the next he's not.[LNB]"I think he's on his way to West Ham and he will go there.[LNB]"There's a lot of to-ing and fro-ing going on with his terms, though."[LNB]Cotterill also confirmed that goalkeeper Jamie Ashdown and former Burnley defender Stephen Jordan have been offered contracts at Fratton Park following successful trial periods. [LNB]"Jamie and Stephen have both been made offers now, so it's with them, really," said Cotterill.

Source: Team_Talk