Jussi Jaaskelainen, Bolton Wanderers goalkeeper

West Ham sign keeper Jussi as Diame holds talks with club

Nathaniel John, West Ham Correspondent Thursday, June 14, 2012
11:23 AM

Hammers move quick to replace Rob Green with Bolton’s Jaaskelainen

West Ham secured their second signing of the summer as they completed a deal to bring keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen to Upton Park.

The former Finland international was out of contract at Bolton Wanderers, and following the Trotters’ relegation from the Premier League has been allowed to move on.

Since joining the Lancashire club in 1997, Jaaskelainen went on to make more than 370 Premier League appearances for Bolton, and the 37-year-old will move to east London on a one-year contract with an option for a second year when his current Trotters deal expires on June 30.

Jaaskelainen is not only the Hammers’ second summer signing, but he is also the second keeper to join the club following Stephen Henderson, whose loan deal from Portsmouth was made permanent earlier this month.

“I’m delighted to be joining West Ham United,” said Jaaskelainen.

“After spending 15 years in Bolton it’s a great new challenge and I’m really looking forward to it.

“Everything has happened really quickly. When the opportunity was offered to come to West Ham I didn’t think twice and I just told my agent to sort it out as quickly as possible.”

Jaaskelainen was also quick to praise the staff at Bolton Wanderers for letting him talk to the Hammers before the end of his contract in Lancashire.

“I appreciate Bolton giving me permission to speak to West Ham before my contract was up,” he said.

“I wish the players and Owen Coyle all the best in gaining promotion at the first attempt.”

Meanwhile, West Ham are understood to be close to agreeing a deal to bring free agent Mohamed Diame to Upton Park.

The midfielder is out of contract this summer at Wigan Athletic and the 24-year-old was attracting interest from the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United.

But having held two sets of talks with the Senegal international, it appears that the Hammers are in the driving seat.

The 24-year-old joined the Latics from Spanish side Rayo Vallecano three years ago in a £3.6million deal and has since caught the eye with his displays in the heart of midfield, making 103 appearances.