West Ham United beat a crowded field to land Lazio midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger yesterday.

The Sunday Mirror says Hitzlsperger had five offers on the table from Premier League clubs. Tottenham's pursuit began in February when they discovered he was out of contract in the summer.

Everton, Birmingham and Stoke all made tempting offers to the player and his representative.

His original desire was to join a side playing in Europe, but he refused to rule out making a move to a club with ambitions that met his own.

The former Aston Villa midfielder yesterday ended all speculation by signing a three-year deal.