West Ham sign midfielder Bowyer

Bowyer made 11 appearances for West Ham in 2003

West Ham United have signed midfielder Lee Bowyer for a second time for an undisclosed fee.

The 29-year-old, capped once by England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson, had a six-month spell with the Hammers in 2003 before moving to Newcastle.

"I am desperate to do well for West Ham," said Bowyer. "I loved my time at Newcastle but this is my club.

"I didn't play well last time. I had a bad ankle injury. I see this as unfinished business," Bowyer added.

The midfielder has had a chequered career both on and off the pitch.

Bowyer was cleared of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and affray over an attack on a student who was beaten unconscious in Leeds city centre in January 2000 when the player was with Leeds United.

Bowyer made an out-of-court payment last November to settle an ensuing civil claim.

On the field, he was banned for seven games and fined £30,000 pounds by the Football Assocation after a brawl on the pitch with Newcastle teammate Kieron Dyer in April 2005.

The club fined him a further six weeks' wages.