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London's first winter transfer window signing was Israeli national team forward Yaniv Katan.
The 24-year-old striker, who moved from Haifa's Maccabi for £100,000, agreed to the transfer on December 19th, and a few days later received permission to work in the UK.
Y. Katan, who will join fellow countryman Yossi Benayoun at the London club, signed a four-year contract with West Ham.
"I have always dreamed of playing in England," the striker said at a press conference. "I hope to be beneficial to West Ham and I can't wait to meet my new teammates."
Y. Katan is a product of Haifa's Maccabi youth academy, which he started attending at the age of nine. The striker has represented the Israeli national team 13 times.