Van der Gouw joins West Ham

Van der Gouw will be David James' understudy

Manchester United goalkeeper Raimond van der Gouw has joined West Ham United on a one-year contract.

The 38-year-old had been considering an offer from Coventry City, but the lure of Premiership football has proved too much.

Raimond was manager Glenn Roeder's choice

Ludek Miklosko
West Ham goalkeeping coach

He is out of contract at Old Trafford and has signed for the Hammers as a free agent.

Shaka Hislop, Craig Forrest and Sven Andersson have all left West Ham over the summer - leaving the club in urgent need of cover for first-choice David James.

Man Utd duo on the move

West Ham goalkeeping coach Ludek Miklosko is delighted with the club's latest aquisition, who put pen-to-paper after passing a medical on Thursday.

"I think he will be good for the club," Miklosko told the club's official website.

"And it was manager Glenn Roeder's choice - he is a very experienced goalkeeper, which I think is important us.

"That is what we need now, as David James is the only other keeper with that experience, so it is great for the young goalkeepers who can learn from him - it is a brilliant signing."

The Dutchman has been in English football since July 1996, who he joined from Vitesse Arnhem.

He signed as second choice to Peter Schmeichel and then, following the Dane's departure, filled a similar role after Fabian Barthez arrived at the club.

His first-team opportunities further dwindled after United signed Roy Carroll from Wigan last summer and he made just one Premiership appearance last season, against Charlton in May.

Van der Gouw's United team-mate Ronnie Wallwork is also out of contract and is expected to join Premiership new boys West Bromwich Albion.