West Ham splash out on Upson

West Ham United FC have strengthened their defence as they bid to avoid relegation from the Premiership by paying Birmingham City FC a fee that could rise to €11.3m for England centre-back Matthew Upson.

Sixth signing
The London club, 18th in the English top flight and without a win in seven league games, have paid an initial €9m for the 27-year-old, who has seven national-team caps. Upson, whose contract with Birmingham was due to expire in summer 2008, has signed a four-and-a-half year contract at Upton Park and becomes Alan Curbishley's sixth recruit of the January transfer window.

Arsenal experience
Upson started his career with Luton Town FC but made only one senior appearance before moving to Arsenal FC in a €3m transfer in 1997. Despite collecting a Premiership winner's medal in 2001/02, he found opportunities limited at Highbury and opted to join Birmingham four years ago. He went on to play more than 100 league games for the club, who were relegated last season, and will now hope to help his new team escape a similar fate. Meanwhile, West Ham have loaned right-back Tyrone Mears to second division leaders Derby County FC.