West Ham are poised to complete the permanent signing of Radoslav Kovac after the Czech Republic international underwent a medical at Upton Park

West Ham are poised to complete the permanent signing of Radoslav Kovac after the Czech Republic international underwent a medical at Upton Park this week.

Kovac, 29, spent six months on loan at the Hammers last season, scoring one goal in 10 appearances before returning to Spartak Moscow this summer.

The versatile midfielder was desperate to stay at West Ham but hopes of a permanent switch looked to have been scuppered by Spartak's �4m asking price.

Yet negotiations reopened this month after Hammers midfielder Luis Boa Morte suffered a serious knee injury during the club's pre-season tour to China.

And Spartak confirmed that Kovac had been given permission to join up with West Ham this week for a fee understood to be closer to �2m.

"Today Kovac joined London club West Ham," Spartak announced on their website on Monday, without giving further details.

Kovac, who was also linked with moves to Sunderland and Blackburn this summer, thanked the Russian club for allowing him to return to England.

Kovac said: "I very much appreciate the time I have spent with Spartak. Thank you to the fans. I hope this season Spartak receive their long-awaited championship win.