West Ham have completed the signing of Senegal international midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate as the restructuring of Sam Allardyce's squad continues.
Kouyate arrives from Belgian champions Anderlecht on a four-year deal and becomes the Londoners' second summer addition following their move for Argentinean striker Mauro Zarate.
Speaking to West Ham TV, 24-year-old Kouyate said he was keen to prove himself in the English top flight.
"West Ham have given me the chance to play in the Premier League, so I am very happy to join such a club and that gives me great pleasure," Kouyate said.
"I know a few players who were also at the club, [Carlos] Tevez, Demba [Ba], Andy Carroll, who was obviously here last season. West Ham are a team who are known and who are going to help me to progress.
"For my part, I am going to try to do great things here. That I am here now is thanks to the manager, because he went out of his way, leaving his holiday for me, so he has done everything he could for me to join the club."
West Ham co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold said the club would be looking to strengthen further as they attempt to play a more attractive and successful style of football next season after a tough campaign last time.
"We are determined to have a better season, and this signing is a statement of the direction the club is heading in," Sullivan said.
"We hope to have at least four more signings in place by the time we kick off against Tottenham."
Gold added: "We have looked at what went wrong last season, and we have acted upon it. With everyone fit and firing for the first game, I am confident we have got a great season to look forward to."