Work permit for Hammers' African star

West Ham’s Ghanaian international right-back John Pantsil has been granted a work permit.

Pantsil signed a four-year deal with the Hammers last week but his £1m (€1.5m) transfer from Hapoel Tel Aviv can now be officially completed.

The 25-year-old told the club’s website, www.whufc.com: “I am so happy to have signed for West Ham. It was one of the easiest decisions I have ever made to come here.

“My dream has always been to play in England in the Premiership as I always used to watch English football when I was growing up and have always liked the way it is so competitive.”

Pantsil impressed West Ham manager Alan Pardew during the World Cup, where he played in all four of Ghana’s games.

He was invited to join the Hammers’ pre-season tour of Sweden, where he featured both in his preferred position of right-back and in the centre of defence.