Ben Haim joins Hammers

West Ham have signed Portsmouth defender Tal Ben Haim on loan until January.

The 28-year-old, who has been reunited with former Pompey manager Avram Grant, is the Hammers' fourth summer signing. Ben Haim joins German midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger, Mexican winger Pablo Barrera and French forward Frederic Piquionne in moving to Upton Park.

The Hammers' announcement said: "West Ham United are delighted to announce the loan signing of Israel defender Tal Ben Haim and can confirm the club are close to securing another international player. "

The club hope to complete the signing of a "young international who represented their country to distinction at the World Cup" this week.

Ben Haim has played under Grant for Chelsea, Portsmouth and at international level with Israel, for whom he has won over 50 caps.

The West Ham announcement continued: "Ben Haim is the fourth new face in Avram Grant's squad in what has been a busy summer of arrivals. He is an experienced centre-back with a strong character. He can play across the back four and will provide top-level competition for the club's existing defenders.

"With the ink barely dry on Ben Haim's contract, club officials stepped up their bid to secure a fifth signing this close-season and hope to have the deal finalised within the next 72 hours.

"The potential recruit is a young international, who represented his country to distinction at the 2010 FIFA World Cup."