Paintsil given green light

West Ham's new signing John Paintsil has been granted a work permit.

The Ghana international penned a four-year deal at Upton Park last week after impressing during the club's pre-season campaign.

The 25-year-old's £1 million transfer from Hapoel Tel Aviv could not be finalised though, until he received the documents to make it official.

Paintsil has now been given the green light, and is delighted to be able to call himself a Hammer.

"I am so happy to have signed for West Ham," he told the club's official website.

"It was one of the easiest decisions I have ever made to come here."

Paintsil played at full back for Ghana during the World Cup, but is a versatile player and happy to fit in anywhere to fulfill his dream of playing in The Premiership.

"I normally play at right back but I can play anywhere across the back," he explained.

"Wherever the manager wants to play me I will be happy to play there, as I just want to help the team where I can.

"My dream has always been to play in England in The Premiership as I always used to watch English football when I was growing up and have always liked the way it is so competitive."