West Ham have completed the £7million signing of England midfielder Scott Parker from Newcastle.  He has agreed a five-year deal and becomes West Ham's first signing of the summer.

The 26-year-old was captain at Newcastle last season but was keen on a return to London.  And a move to Upton Park sees Parker link up again with Alan Curbishley, his former manager at Charlton.

Curbishley said: "I'm delighted Scott has agreed to sign for us. Our relationship goes back some time to when he first joined Charlton as a schoolboy.

"He's coming to the club knowing full well that we're trying to push forward and he wants to be part of that.

"Firstly he wants to improve our team, then he wants to improve his chances of forcing his way back into the England scene.

"He has been captain of Newcastle over the last couple of seasons and he is exactly the type of player that I wanted to bring to the club.

"He's very experienced but still young and I'm sure he's going to be a big asset to West Ham."

Parker's move to West Ham could spark a midfield merry-go-round in the Premier League.

Manchester City outcast Joey Barton is set to replace Parker at Newcastle, while West Ham captain Nigel Reo-Coker is close to a move to Aston Villa.

West Ham chairman Eggert Magnusson has given Curbishley significant funds - thought to be in excess of £40 million - to spearhead a challenge for Europe.

West Ham fought off interest from Tottenham to sign Parker, who Curbishley sees as a potential captain at Upton Park.