West Ham United have today confirmed that they have secured the services of Chile international forward Luis Jimenez from Italian champions Inter on a season-long loan deal, with a further option to make the deal permanent.

He will join officially on July 1, and will undergo a medical at the Boleyn Ground next month.

He was clearly pleased to have sealed the switch, telling the Hammers’ official website, “I am very happy, very excited and very determined to show what I can do.

“I am a player who loves to play football, to be in a team that keeps the ball, to create opportunities and also score goals. I can’t promise anything but I am going to do everything possible to do a good job for the club.

“I know West Ham are a fantastic club who have had a lot of great players. I had options to join other clubs but I watched West Ham’s last game of the season and I liked it a lot.”

He went on to reveal that the Irons’ style of play and working with manager Gianfranco Zola were key factors in the club’s appeal.

“I preferred this option because I really admire the way they try to play. Gianfranco Zola was one of the things that drew me to West Ham – I can identify with the type of football he wants to play,” he added.

West Ham chief executive Scott Duxbury echoed the player’s delight, stating, “I am pleased we have been able to secure Luis’s services. Many clubs were after him so we have had to work quickly. We were determined to get the deal done as Gianfranco sees him as a player that can add much to our attack next season.”