Transfer news: West Ham sign former Fulham striker Mladen Petric on a free transfer after Andy Carroll setback

England striker suffered yet another heel injury prompting Sam Allardyce to swoop for Petric after he left Cottagers in the summer

Mladen Petric poses in a West Ham shirt after completing his move to the Hammers (GETTY IMAGES)

West Ham have confirmed the signing of striker Mladen Petric as manager Sam Allardyce looks to bolster his attacking options.

The 32-year-old Croatia international has joined the Upton Park club until the end of the season following his departure from Barclays Premier League rivals Fulham at the end of the last campaign.

Allardyce had only Modibo Maiga and Ricardo Vaz Te fit at the moment after Andy Carroll suffered a setback in his return from a heel injury which has prevented him from making an appearance for the Hammers since completing a permanent transfer from Liverpool.

The club confirmed several offers for a striker on transfer deadline day had failed and a move for Carlton Cole, who left West Ham at the end of his contract in June, was also called off after the England forward could not prove his fitness.

Because Petric was a free agent he was not constrained by the closing of the transfer window and will join up with his new team-mates relishing the chance to get back to playing in England.

"I'm very happy, excited and looking forward to training with the team and to the first game," Petric told the club's official website.

"I'm happy to be back in the Premier League, because it's a fantastic league and I'm really looking forward to being part of this team and this club. There are a lot of good players here and I'm happy to be part of such a good team and I hope we can all celebrate my first goal for West Ham as soon as possible."

Petric confirmed his former Hamburg team-mate Guy Demel had sold the club to him, and the new recruit knows from his own experience what West Ham offer.

"I didn't speak to Sam [Allardyce] until today but I've heard a lot about him and I spoke to Guy Demel, who I know from my time at Hamburg and I'm sure I'll have a good time here," said Petric.

"I remember playing at West Ham last year and it was a very tough game for us at Fulham. I think we lost 3-0! It's not easy to come here [as the away side] and take points away."

PA