West Ham have completed the signing of Barcelona midfielder Alex Song on loan for the rest of the season.

Prior to the deal being officially confirmed, Hammers co-chairman David Gold tweeted: “We have just made a big signing, he’ll be introduced to the supporters before kick off today.”

The former Arsenal player had been linked with Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur but West Ham were said to have moved ahead in the race to bring in the 26-year-old Cameroon international yesterday on a season-long loan after he had been told he could leave the Nou Camp ahead of Monday’s transfer deadline.

Sam Allardyce's side face Southampton at Upton Park this afternoon.