Never mind the Baldocks: here's the new striker

West Ham United have confirmed the signing of striker Sam Baldock from MK Dons.

The 22-year-old striker put pen to paper on a four-year deal, with an option for a fifth year this evening (Friday) following a successful medical that took place earlier in the day.

Baldock, who has been given Kieron Dyer's number seven shirt is unlikely to feature at Nottingham Forest this weekend; the home fixture against Portsmouth the following weekend appears a more likely target.

"I am pleased to be here," he told whufc.com. "I am just excited to be coming to such a great club, caked in so much history. I just want to hit the ground running.

"I want to show [the fans] what I can do and hopefully everyone will be proud of me."

West Ham, who has to fight off a late bid by Southampton in order to land Baldock are thought to have paid around £2million to secure his services, although the exact figure remains undisclosed - as is the case with most of the club's transfers these days.