Song completes Hammers move

Rigobert Song in action for Liverpool

West Ham have signed Cameroon international defender Rigobert Song from Liverpool for £2.5m.

The club identified 24-year-old Song last week as a possible replacement for Rio Ferdinand, who was transferred to Leeds United for £18m.

However, he insisted that he does not want to be compared to Ferdinand even though it is likely that he fill Ferdinand's role in central defence at Upton Park

"You can't compare us. I am different from Rio but I will offer the same hard work and desire to improve," said Song.

"I will be bringing my own experience and character to the club."

Ambitious

He does not view his move to Upton Park as a backwards step.

"The squad is as good. "You could say West Ham are more ambitious because they want to improve.

"Liverpool are a big club - but so are West Ham."

Song said he had no bad feelings about his departure from Liverpool.

"You have to respect the wishes of the manager and his team selection.

"He brought players in, but I still played four times for Liverpool this season, and I certainly don't think it didn't work out there."

Earlier in the season Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier refused to release Song, the former Cameroon captain, for the Olympics.

Cameroon won the Olympic title without Song and he has since lost the captaincy of the national team because of his lack of first-team football.

Song joined Liverpool in January 1999 from Italian club Salernitana for £2.6m.