Hammers land Israeli

West Ham have completed the signing of Israeli international Yossi Benayoun from Racing Santander.

The 24-year-old midfielder will join the Premiership newcomers after passing a medical.

Earlier today, the player’s agent Gustavo Crnko told PA International: “Racing and West Ham have already reached an agreement for Benayoun.”

Everton and Bolton had also shown an interest in the playmaker, but Everton’s signing of Spanish midfielder Mikel Arteta ruled out Benayoun’s chances of a move to Goodison Park.

“It’s true that both clubs were interested but the player has chosen West Ham,” added Crnko.

Nicknamed ‘The Diamond’, Benayoun arrived in the Primera Liga from Maccabi Haifa in 2003 and played 35 league games for Santander last season, scoring nine goals.

Meanwhile goals from Carl Fletcher, Bobby Zamora and Teddy Sheringham gave the Hammers a comfortable pre-season friendly win over Trollhattans IF in Sweden this afternoon.