West Ham finally completed the capture of long-time transfer target Matthew Upson from Birmingham.

City boss Steve Bruce had been reluctant to part with the want-away centre-back and rejected bids of £4m and £6m for the former Arsenal defender from Premiership strugglers West Ham.

But the Hammers finally got their man for an initial fee of £6m after Upson made it clear this week that he did not see his future at St Andrew's - regardless of whether Birmingham were promoted from the Championship in May.

Upson is Irons' boss Alan Curbinshley's sixth signing during the transfer window - which shuts at midnight tonight - and his fee could rise to £7.5m based on appearances.

The 27-year-old centre-half has signed a four-and-a-half-year deal and could make his West Ham debut on Saturday when his new side visit Aston Villa in the league.