West Ham sign Joey O'Brien

Republic of Ireland international Joey O'Brien has signed for West Ham United on a free transfer.

The versatile 25-year-old had been without a club since being released by Bolton Wanderers at the end of last season.

O'Brien, who had been training with West Ham recently, becomes manager Sam Allardyce's fourth summer signing following the arrivals of Kevin Nolan, Abdoulaye Faye and Matt Taylor.

"I'm delighted to finally sign because I have been here since the start of pre-season," O'Brien told the official West Ham website.

"It's been a few weeks now and it's gone well. The manager wanted me to sign and as soon as I heard that, there was no real hesitation.

"I'm pleased it's done and dusted."

Allardyce gave a first-team debut to O'Brien when he was manager of Bolton in 2004. O'Brien has since gone on to play for the Irish national side on three occasions.