Freddie Ljungberg's decision to quit Arsenal for West Ham was fired by the loss the Thierry Henry to Barcelona.

Ljungberg moved across the capital on a three-year contract that could ultimately cost the Hammers a total of £3million.

But the 30-year-old Sweden captain claimed it was Henry's decision to leave the Emirates that had a direct bearing on his own future.

Ljungberg declared: "When Thierry left it felt like the end. I had a lot of clubs in for me in the summer but always stayed loyal. But I felt it was the right time to go. When I signed my last contract two years ago we talked about the future, building a new stadium and bringing in top players, but it didn't really happen.

"Of course the decision tugged at my heart strings because I had been at Arsenal almost 10 years. It was a big thing for me. I felt Arsenal had let a lot of players go. When Thierry left I felt it was time for me to do something different and challenging."

But Ljungberg also claimed the uncertainty left hanging over the club by the departure of vice-chairman David Dein also made it an anxious time for all the players at Arsenal.

Ljungberg added: "Of course it is a big thing in Arsenal and in the last couple of months with David Dein leaving, it's not been easy as a player. Maybe Arsene Wenger will have to do a lot more work because David Dein has left."

West Ham boss Alan Curbishley was delighted with his latest acquisition who follows Craig Bellamy from Liverpool, Scott Parker from Newcastle and the now-injured Julien Faubert from Bordeaux.

Curbishley declared: "It's the right time for Freddie to come here. He's been at Arsenal for almost 10 years — it's a long while. He needs a challenge and I think we are the right club for him.

"We spoke to Freddie over the last week and we tried to sell him the club and what we're about. He's seen players come in and push us forward. He brings a few things, Champions League experience, captain of Sweden, he's versatile."