Hammers chief revels in Faubert coup

West Ham chairman Eggert Magnusson was delighted to have fended off a number of potential suitors to land France midfielder Julien Faubert on a five-year contract.

The 23-year-old completed a £6.1million move from Bordeaux to Upton Park, becoming manager Alan Curbishley's second summer capture following the arrival of Scott Parker from Newcastle, after Rangers had a bid of around £4.5million rejected and Roma were also rumoured to be interested.

Magnusson told the club's website: "I feel sure Julien will become a very successful signing for the club. He is one of the most highly-rated young players in European football and many clubs were attempting to sign him, so we are very pleased he has decided to join West Ham United."

He added: "I have been very impressed by his desire and ambition, and I think he will be very popular among our supporters."

But how keen Faubert was on a move to Upton Park is open to question, with the player going on strike earlier this week in a bid to force Bordeaux to sell him to Rangers.

Agent Philippe Sol said in the Sunday Herald: "Julien was given an ultimatum by Bordeaux: West Ham or nowhere.

"He wanted to go to Rangers and had given them his word. Everything he did last week was about moving to Rangers and he wasn't looking to line up a move anywhere else.

"But there is nothing he could do about the transfer fee and you can understand why Bordeaux wanted to accept the offer from West Ham."