West Ham today announced the signing of Mexico striker Guillermo Franco on a free permanent transfer following the end of his contract with Villarreal.

The Argentinian-born forward has scored four goals in his last six internationals since June, including one in the 3-0 win away to Costa Rica in the World Cup qualifer last week and had been linked with a return to South America but CEO Scott Duxbury and technical director Gianluca Nani managed to secure his services after careful negotiations.

Franco, who has passed a medical and is likely to be in the squad for Saturday's game against Liverpool, said: "I am really happy to sign for West Ham. It was my dream to come to the Premier League and I am proud to play for a club that has so much history. This is a very important stage in my career and I hope to score lots of goals for the club this season and then play at the World Cup."

The interesting thing about this move is that West Ham have strengthened their attack despite the closure of the transfer window, thereby negating much of the over-hyped negative fan feedback that followed what was seen by some, as a lack of direction in securing the right person.

On the face of it, this seems like a welcome addition to the squad although, if Saturday's display is to be seen as any great pointer, it is more a problem of getting the existing players to bed into an agreed system rather than a lack of skill or class amongst the players already at the club. I'm not being negative but we have seen these type of golden transfers go pear-shaped in the past and it remains to be seen if the Mexican can fit easily into the pace of Premiership football let-alone settle into the environs of East London.

Rumours suggesting Franco was seen negotiating with London Underground to delay the mooted weekend closure of Upton Park and East Ham stations in a bid to get the trains to run on time can probably be discounted.