West Ham made their third defensive signing of the transfer window when Matthew Upson joined from Birmingham City. The Blues did not want to part with their much coveted jewel at the heart of the defence, but they felt that they were forced into playing their hand.

Upson had made it clear to the Birmingham board that he felt his future lay elsewhere, and that he had no intention of signing a new deal at St. Andrews. Which left the Blues with no other option than to cash in and make as much as they could. They refused a number of offers holding out for six million down payment with other performance based increments.

Upson’s former club Arsenal will receive 25% as they had a sell on clause in the deal that saw him move to Birmingham four years ago.