Connolly announcement imminent?

West Ham are set to confirm the capture of Wimbledon and Republic of Ireland striker David Connolly this afternoon, according to reports.

Connolly - who played in last year's World Cup Finals for Eire and has been capped 34 times for his country - is thought to be undergoing a medical at Chadwell Heath this afternoon (Wednesday). Should all go as planned the club are set to announce his signing later on today.

26-year-old Connolly has already proved something of a success in the first division, having scored 42 goals in 63 games during his spell at Wimbledon, whom he first joined in July 2001 - a record which helped consolidate the Dons position in the first division last term.

The 5'9" Willesden-born striker has also played for Wolves and Watford in the division. Contract details are as yet unknown although it is likely Connolly will be offered no more than a 12 month contract, as was his compatriot Gary Breen when he moved to Upton Park last summer.

The deal is expected to be worth in the region of £500k to the cash-strapped Dons - which is surprising as it was thought unlikely that West Ham would be spending anything on transfer fees this summer due to their perilous financial situation.

Connolly was awarded Sky TV's Soccer AM show's Golden Shoe last season for the first division's best goals per game ratio. With the Hammers light on cover in attack - and with at least one of Freddie Kanoute and Jermain Defoe still odds on to leave Upton Park before the end of the transfer deadline - it is likely that he'll need to be equally as impressive this term if the Hammers are to head straight back into the Premiership.

We'll bring you more on this story as it happens ...