Bowyer joins boyhood club

Bottom of the table
A boyhood West Ham supporter, Bowyer has signed a six-month contract, meaning he could make his debut against Newcastle United FC on Saturday. The Upton Park club are bottom of the Premiership having won just three of their 21 games, although a weekend victory could lift them out of the relegation zone.

Contract offer
Leeds were keen to sell Bowyer for a minimal fee - thought to be as low as €300,000 - rather than risk losing him on a Bosman free transfer in the summer after it became clear he had no intention of taking up the Yorkshire club's offer of a new long-term contract.

Unsettled at Leeds
The 25-year-old had been unsettled at Elland Road since the club chairman, Peter Ridsdale, revealed that he wished he had never signed the player; a reference to two high-profile court cases involving Bowyer. Leeds have, however, reportedly negotiated a deal which will ensure Bowyer repays the €1.3m he owes them for legal fees following the trials.

British record
Bowyer joined Leeds from Charlton Athletic FC in 1996 for what was then a British record fee for a teenager. Capped 13 times by the England Under-21 side, he finally made his full debut in September's drawn friendly international against Portugal at Villa Park.

UEFA Cup
The move completes an eventful day for Bowyer, who earlier received a six-match ban from UEFA club competition following his stamp on a Málaga CF opponent while playing for Leeds in the UEFA Cup third round. It also ends months of speculation about the player's future. Liverpool manager Gérard Houllier withdrew his bid to sign Bowyer last July after questioning his "desire" to play at Anfield.