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Diego Poyet signs for West Ham

West Ham have announced the signing of midfielder Diego Poyet on a four-year deal following the expiry of his contract with Charlton Athletic.

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The 19-year-old -- who is the son of Sunderland boss Gus Poyet -- made 23 appearances for the Addicks last season after breaking into the first-team in January 2014, earning the club's Player of the Year award.

The Hammers have agreed an undisclosed compensation fee with the Championship club for the player, who has joined up with his new teammates in the club's preseason training camp on the French-Swiss border.

"I'm very happy to be here. It took me by surprise a little bit and it all happened very quickly," Poyet told the club's official website. "It's a great club to be at and I know a few of the boys here already.

"It was a no brainer to sign, I wanted to come out here to the training camp as soon as I could and I'm grateful that they've had me here.

"It's massive to come to a Premier League club. It's what I wanted to do -- I wanted a new challenge and soon as I heard there was a chance of stepping up I had to take it.

"I played quite a few games last season with Charlton and I just want to push on now. Like any young player, the first thing you want to do is get into the first team. I need to show the staff, players and the gaffer what I'm capable of doing and maybe pushing my way in.

"West Ham is a great club with a lot of tradition, moving to a new stadium and everything, it was a no brainer for me because you never know if you're going to get that kind of chance again."

Poyet -- who was born in Spain while his father played for Zaragoza -- is no stranger to the English game, moving to the country at the age of two after Gus signed for Chelsea in 1997.

The 19-year-old joined Charlton at the age of 11, working through the academy ranks at the Valley, and his fine performances last season helped to secure the club's Championship status.

Poyet has been capped six times for England at U-17 level, and joins Argentine striker Mauro Zarate, Senegal midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate and left-back Aaron Cresswell as another of Sam Allardyce's summer signings.