Leeds United have confirmed that youngster Sam Byram has signed for West Ham for an undisclosed fee.
Byram has signed a four-and-a-half year deal at the Boleyn Ground and will wear the No.22 shirt.
The 22-year-old, a regular in the Elland Road first team over the past four seasons, has been used in midfield by Steve Evans over recent weeks but is more widely regarded as an attacking right-back.
Byram had been close to a move to Everton but has chosen to move to the Boleyn Ground, where he is likely to have greater opportunities for first-team football.
Whilst Roberto Martinez has one of the league’s best full-backs to call upon in Seamus Coleman Slaven Bilic has deployed centre-back James Tomkins on the right ahead of the struggling Carl Jenkinson.
What does January hold for West Ham?
Leeds owner Massimo Cellino said on Monday: “I'm really sorry for Everton because they really acted like gentlemen, but Sam chose West Ham.”
The Hammers reportedly bid less than the £3.7 million Everton agreed with Leeds, which could have risen to £5 million.
West Ham are unlikely to conduct further significant business in the January window, with David Sullivan having confirmed the club did not have “a penny” to spend on wages.
Matt Jarvis’ departure freed up salary space as well as adding a reported £2.5 million to the club’s transfer funds.
