West Ham have completed the signing of Norwegian John Carew.

Boss Sam Allardyce sealed his fifth summer transfer after the forward completed a medical yesterday.

The 31-year-old spent time on loan at Stoke City last season after scoring 54 goals in 133 appearances for Aston Villa.

The former Valencia, Lyon and Rosenborg striker was not eligible for today’s opening clash with Cardiff City though as the move was not registered with the Football League in time.

Speaking to the club’s website, Carew said: “I am so pleased to be here. I am very happy to sign for such a big club.

“I am looking forward to being part of a good team here that will bring this great club back up to the Premier League again.”

Carew has put pen-to-paper on a one-year deal with the option of a further year.

Allardyce did not rule out bringing in another forward but admitted it has proven difficult to bolster his attacking options.

Speaking after the defeat to Cardiff, the Hammers boss said: “Well if there is another one available and the chairman has got enough to do it then I would ask him but certainly we all know from the very start it was an area that was most difficult to fill.

“We tried many many players in that end and not been able to quite pull it off just yet.”

Allardyce did confirm however that Carew will not be ready for action straight away.

When asked if he would be available for Tuesday's Carling Cup tie with Aldershot, Allardyce said: “No. He has just come into the club.

“We have just done from July 1 to August 8 with our team preparing for this first game and John Carew has just joined us having done no pre-season so we will have to shorten that time of course. We will have to give him what is called a mini pre-season.

“It doesn't get him involved in any of the games but he certainly gets involved in double and triple training sessions and try and get him up to speed as quickly as we can.”