Paintsil adds gloss to West Ham

West Ham United FC have signed Ghana right-back John Paintsil on a four-year contract after he impressed at the FIFA World Cup.

International class
The 25-year-old was one of his country's star performers in Germany, playing all four games as they reached the second round. Paintsil has spent the past three seasons in Israel, first with Maccabi Tel-Aviv FC before joining their city rivals Hapoel Tel-Aviv FC. He made 27 appearances last term, scoring two goals. Paintsil, who has been capped 25 times, will cost West Ham a reported €1m. The English club have already recruited defenders Tyrone Mears and Jonathan Spector, midfielder Lee Bowyer and forward Carlton Cole this summer. They will enter the UEFA Cup in September's first round.