West Ham have clinched their first signing of the summer after sealing a deal for Razvan Rat on a free transfer from Shakhtar Donetsk.
Rat, who was impressive for Shakhtar during the Champions League, would have been a free agent come July 1 with his contract with the Ukrainian champions expiring at the end of the season.
The 31-year-old, who spent ten years with Shakhtar, had confirmed earlier he was in talks with West Ham over a move and now it has been confirmed by the club, with the left-back signing a one-year deal.
"West Ham United are delighted to announce the signing of Romania captain Razvan Rat on a free transfer," the club said in a statement on their official website.
"The experienced left-back, who has 88 caps to his name, will join the Hammers on a one-year deal, with the club having an option to extend to two or three years, on July 1 following the expiry of his contract with Ukrainian champions Shakhtar Donetsk."
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce, who is also reportedly close to completing the transfer of Andy Carroll, was happy to bring in such an experienced campaigner into his side for next season.
"I'm hugely happy that we've got a player of his experience and his character," he said.
"He's been playing Champions League football this year and at the highest level for many years. Shakhtar had offered him a very good contract, but his ambition was to come and try his abilities and skills in England.
"When you hear somebody speak so positively about that, then you know they've got the mental character that's needed to do well in this division.
"We certainly know he's got the ability and he's at an age where he's still capable of producing at 31.
"He speaks perfect English, which he taught himself, and that shows the discipline and the character of the man.
"Discipline, character and ability are the three big things in the Premier League, and with a little bit of adjusting, we'll see him early on in the season giving hopefully his best performances for West Ham."
