Ward makes Coventry switch

Coventry manager Micky Adams has made his fifth summer signing with the £1m (€1.5m) acquisition of Elliott Ward from West Ham.

The highly-rated central defender, 21, has put pen to paper on a four-year deal and follows David McNamee, Wayne Andrews, Don Hutchison and Mikkel Bischoff at the Ricoh Arena.

Adams believes the signing underlines the Sky Blues‘ ambition to take the club forward.

“In Elliott we have a young, talented and confident defender who I’m sure will bring a real presence to our back line,” said Adams.

“I have no doubt that he will be a valuable addition to our squad. He is just the sort of player we are looking for to help the club progress and I’m delighted that the board and senior management team have supported me in spending the money to bring him in."

Ward is a product of the Hammers’ youth academy and made 18 appearances for the east London club. During the 2004-05 campaign, he enjoyed loan spells at Peterborough and Bristol City and last season he impressed during a three-month stint at Plymouth.