West Ham United manager Avram Grant granted work permit

Avram Grant led Portsmouth to the FA Cup final where they lost 1-0 to Chelsea

West Ham have secured a work permit for their new manager Avram Grant

Grant, 55, agreed a four-year contract last week to succeed Gianfranco Zola who was sacked after West Ham finished 17th in last season's Premier League.

The Israeli led Chelsea to the 2008 Champions League final and Portsmouth to this season's FA Cup final.

"I'm proud and honoured to be the manager of West Ham. It's an exciting challenge and I'm ready to do my best," said Grant after his appointment.

The Israeli has already begun the task of strengthening the West Ham squad, signing German midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger at the weekend.

Grant was sacked by Chelsea shortly after they lost to Manchester United on penalties in the Champions League final in 2008.

He returned to the Premier League with cash-strapped Portsmouth last October, first as director of football, and then as manager after Paul Hart was relieved of his duties at Fratton Park in November.

Pompey went into administration in February and were subsequently relegated to the Championship, while Grant quit as boss on 21 May after the 1-0 FA Cup final defeat by Chelsea - but his success in getting to Wembley won many plaudits.