Soccer

Keane still an option for Hammers

Soccer:  West Ham are thought to be still considering a move for Republic of Ireland captain Robbie Keane, despite completing…

Fri Jan 28 2011 - 00:00

Soccer: West Ham are thought to be still considering a move for Republic of Ireland captain Robbie Keane, despite completing the signing of Senegal international Demba Ba from Hoffenheim.

Ba, who failed a medical at Stoke earlier this month, today agreed a deal until 2014 with the struggling Hammers after coming through extensive checks on a knee problem.

West Ham had initially been lining up a loan move for the 25-year-old. The transfer fee is undisclosed but is heavily dependant on appearances.

Ba is West Ham’s third signing of the transfer window, following Wayne Bridge’s arrival on loan from Manchester City and Gary O’Neil’s move from Middlesbrough.

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But with West Ham bottom of the Barclays Premier League, manager Avram Grant is looking to bring in more firepower with Tottenham striker Keane among his targets.

“We have to look at the general make-up of our squad and there are areas high up the pitch (we are looking at),” said Hammers coach Paul Groves. “We have brought in Demba Ba. We have Carlton Cole, Zavon Hines and Frederic Piquionne. We could possibly do with another one.

“It is always good to have options in those forward areas, where people could perhaps produce something out of nothing. That is nice for any football club to have any maybe on the odd occasion we could have done with that.”

Ba, who was born in Paris, has won eight caps for Senegal and he scored 40 goals in 103 appearances for Bundesliga side Hoffenheim.

“He has proved himself in a top league. He is a handful, he scores goals and for us he is a good addition,” said Groves.

Ba is eligible to play against Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup on Sunday, although he is short of match fitness because the German league has been on a winter break.

There is no time for Ba to adapt to the rigours of the Premier League but he is confident of fitting in quickly at Upton Park.

“It was a long story but now I’m happy because it had a really good end and I am glad to be here,” said Ba. “I’m going to give everything to West Ham United. I’m definitely excited to be playing in the Premier League. I like playing football. I like to be on the pitch playing good passes with the other guys and running with the ball, rather than playing in a direct style, so I should be able to fit in well at West Ham.”